Sunderland release Fletcher, Brown

Steven Fletcher / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN

Steven Fletcher / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN
Steven Fletcher / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN
Sunderland released four players including Scotland striker Steven Fletcher and former Manchester United defender Wes Brown on Friday.

Fletcher joined the Black Cats in a £12 million ($17 million) move from Wolves in 2012, but his tally of 23 goals in 108 appearances for the Premier League club wasn’t enough to convince boss Sam Allardyce to give him a new contract.

The 29-year-old signed a loan deal with Marseille in January and admitted earlier this week that he had no expectations of continuing his career with Allardyce’s team, who narrowly stayed up last season.

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Fletcher leaves the Stadium of Light alongside the injury-plagued Brown, former Swansea striker Danny Graham and ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper, none of whom will be offered extensions to contracts which expire shortly.

Graham endured a miserable time with Sunderland, scoring only one goal in 37 appearances and going out on loan four times following his £5 million signing in 2013.

The 30-year-old has reportedly drawn interest from Scottish champions Celtic and English second tier team Blackburn.

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