The Black Cats have also announced that new deals will not be offered to Marcus Stewart (signing for Bristol City), Michael Ingham, Brian Deane and Jeff Whitley, who are all out of contract and will leave the Stadium of Light over the summer months.
"A number of players who were out of contract in the summer have been released as we prepare for the challenge of the Premier League, chief executive Peter Walker told the clubs official website, www.safc.com
"Several players who remain on the retained list due to contractual obligations have been told that they can look for new clubs and of course there will be new faces coming in over the summer."