Sunderland star have reacted after it was confirmed that one recently released player had now found a new club
Sunderland parted ways with four players at the end of the season, releasing Corry Evans, Bradley Dack, Ellis Taylor and Jack Diamond at the end of their contracts.
The former three are currently free agents as they look to start a fresh chapter elsewhere, however Diamond has been very quick to find himself a new club.
Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Carlisle United, the winger hadn’t featured for Sunderland since August 2022 before he was let go by his boyhood club this month.
Having claimed 13 goal contributions in 36 matches whilst on loan with Lincoln City during the 2022-23 season, Diamond is now set to return to the third tier with Stockport County.
The Hatters were promoted from the fourth tier last season, with manager Dave Challinor in charge, who has beenlinked with the Sunderland vacancy in recent weeks.
Diamond took to Instagram this week to share his delight at joining Stockport, writing: “Over the moon to sign for this exciting club, can’t wait to get started!”
Ex-Sunderland teammates show support for Jack Diamond
The 24-year-old’s comments were flooded with messages of support from former teammates at the Stadium of Light.
Having joined Sunderland’s academy ten years ago, Diamond had grown up with a number of players on Wearside who were eager to congratulate him.
Dan Neil wrote: “Love it mate.”
Danny Batth wrote: “Good luck Billy boy.”
Rees Greenwood, who was released by Sunderland in 2018, wrote: “All the best mate.”
Corry Evans wrote: “Love it Jack good luck.”
Denver Hume, who now plays for Grimsby Town, wrote: “Let’s go son.”
Ellis Taylor wrote: “All the best Diamond my mate.”
Was he ever good enough for Sunderland?
Jack Diamond was clearly a very popular figure on Wearside, though it is no surprise that he was released.
The attacker showed some brief promise during the club’s time in League One, but he never really seemed good enough to make that step up and only managed one goal as he made 26 appearances in the 2020-21 campaign.
Once the Black Cats were promoted, he was always going to struggle to force his way in and it was only a matter of time that he would drop back down.
Diamond did fail to score or assist during his time with Carlisle, but he had spent a significant chunk of time away from football and so could look to reignite his career after a full pre-season with Stockport.