Transfer deadline day: Defender Modibo Diakite leaves Sunderland

Modibo Diakite spent the second half of last season on loan at Fiorentina

French defender Modibo Diakite has left Sunderland by mutual consent.

The centre-back, 27, was brought to the Stadium of Light by then-manager Paolo Di Canio on a free transfer from Lazio in July 2013.

But he made only eight appearances for the Black Cats before Gus Poyet, Di Canio's successor, loaned him to Italian club Fiorentina in January.

Diakite, whose Sunderland contract was set to run until 2016, had seven years at Lazio before moving to England.