Sky Bet Championship side Sunderland have today announced that veteran defender John O’Shea has signed a new one-year contract with the club. The player was effectively released earlier this summer following the conclusion of his deal, but he is wanted by new manager Simon Grayson at the Stadium of Light.
The 36-year-old has spent the past six-years with the club, and mainly battled against relegation during that time. Albeit at the level below, O’Shea will be hopeful of playing a big role in an intended push towards the top end of the table next season, seeking an immediate return into the Premier League.
The Republic of Ireland international is also the club captain of the Mackems and is set to be an important role under Grayson in the year to come.
A large proportion of O’Shea’s club career to date was spent at Old Trafford with Manchester United. After coming through the academy with the Premier League giants, the Irishman would go on to five league titles, four domestic cup competitions and the UEFA Champions League in 2008.
Earlier this summer, there was a brief stage where O’Shea was even linked to become the next manager of Sunderland. With a proposed takeover supposedly halting the progress of naming a permanent successor to David Moyes, there was speculation that the Black Cats could elect to hand O’Shea his first managerial role. Now that his future is clear and Grayson is in place, things are at least starting to settle down for the Tyne and Wear club.
