Alex Pritchard: Sunderland confirm midfielder unavailable as he seeks 'immediate' exit from club
- Published
Alex Pritchard has been a key player for Sunderland since his arrival in 2021
Alex Pritchard has told Sunderland he is "no longer available for selection" and wants to leave, a club statement reads., external.
The 30-year-old midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and no agreement had been reached on his future at the Stadium of Light.
Pritchard, who has nine goals in 115 games, wants to leave with "immediate effect", the statement also reads.
Sunderland say no further comment will be made regarding the issue.
Since joining the club in the summer of 2021, Pritchard's creativity and eye for goal have been vital to the Wearsiders, helping them gain promotion from League One and then reach the Championship play-offs last season.
The player's decision, taken on Friday, comes days after sporting director Kristjaan Speakman confirmed Sunderland had been in dialogue with the former Huddersfield Town and Norwich City playmaker about remaining with the Black Cats.
"Alex has been an absolutely integral part of how we've got sat around the Championship today in a really good position," Speakman told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"He's a really important player for the group and I'm really pleased he'd got back in the team.
"His contract is up at the end of the season. From Alex's perspective we've offered him an extension to his contract. We felt, in conversations with him, that was something we needed to do, from where his head was at.
"He's in a really good position, I'm sure he's happy."
Sunderland are currently eighth in the table.