SUNDERLAND have let NINE players leave after securing their promotion back to the Premier League.
But they did secure a club-record transfer arrival.
The Black Cats booked their spot back in the top flight for the first time since 2017 after beating Sheffield United in the play-off final.
And they marked the return by completing the permanent transfer of Enzo Le Fee for £20million.
Le Fee, 25, reunited with his former Lorient boss Regis Le Bris in January on a six-month loan from Roma.
And now Sunderland have tied the French winger down to a four-year contract as their first summer signing.
But nine players have departed the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland confirmed both Chris Mepham and Salis Abdul Samed have returned to their parent clubs – Bournemouth and Lens respectively – after their loan spells.
Mepham played a key role in promotion, racking up 40 appearances.
Tommy Watson was the play-off hero at Wembley with his memorable winner.
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But he scored the goal knowing it would be his last match for his boyhood club, with the 19-year-old already agreeing a £10m summer switch to Brighton.
The deal was announced in April and ratified when the transfer window opened.
Elsewhere, Under-21 squad members Ben Crompton, Cuba Mitchell, Caden Kelly, and Kelechi Chibueze will leave.
Second-year scholars Aaron Chungh and Daniel Parker were also let go.
The club confirmed youth players Ben Middlemas, Oliver Bainbridge, Marshall Burke, and Daniel Cameron have signed contract extensions and Ethan Moore and Timur Tutierov were offered new deals, too.
But there still could be further exits from the Stadium of Light.
SunSport revealed Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt are in a battle for the £21m signing of Jobe Bellingham.
Dortmund are in pole position to land the youngster, five years after they signed his brother Jude.
Elsewhere, Black Cats captain Dan Neil has emerged as a shock £15m transfer target for Roma.
