Sunderland's relegation to League One 12 months ago prompted a mass clear-out on Wearside, with more than a dozen senior players departing.
Some were released at the end of their contracts, others sold, one who had his contract cancelled and a couple of others who were sacked.
All found alternative employment, but what happened to those who were culled by incoming manager Jack Ross ?
Who ended up where, and how did they get on?
Our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter goes in search of those who moved on last summer.
John O'Shea
When his contract at Sunderland expired, the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland man joined Reading as a free agent but was largely used as cover, making only nine Championship appearances for the Royals.
Chose his 38 birthday at the end of April to announce that he would be hanging up his boots at the end of the season, after making more than 650 appearances in a distinguished 19-year career.
Jason Steele
The goalkeeper joined Brighton for a nominal fee last summer after spending one ill-fated season on Wearside.
Spent around a third of the season on the bench as backup for first Matt Ryan and then David Button as Brighton secured another season in the top flight, but his only senior appearance for the Seagulls came in the FA Cup.
Fabio Borini
Signed for Gennaro Gattuso's AC Milan in a £5m deal and helped them to a fifth-placed finish and qualification for the Europa League.
Borini played 20 times for Milan in Serie A, evenly split between starts and substitute appearances, and scored two goals.
The striker also played in Milan's Supercoppa Italiana defeat at the hands of Juventus in January, and in their run to the semi-final of the Coppa Italia.
Joel Asoro
Asoro rejected a new contract offer and, with just 12 months remaining on his deal, Sunderland decided to cash in by selling him to Swansea City in a £2m deal.
The Sweden U21 international frontman started four of the Swans first five games in the Championship but that was as good as it got for him – since then he has spent most of his time on the fringes, with just 10 substitute appearances to his name across the rest of the season.
He has yet to score his first goal for the South Wales club.
Paddy McNair
Joined Middlesbrough for £5m last June but the midfielder struggled to hold down a place in Tony Pulis' side, making only seven Championship starts although he did add another nine appearances as sub.
Boro finished seventh, missing out on a play-off spot.
Jeremain Lens
After a loan spell at Turkish side Besiktas the previous season, the move became a £4m permanent deal last summer.
Forward Lens made 19 starts and nine substitute appearances, scoring one goal, as his new club finished third in Super Lig, qualifying for the group stage of the Europa League next season.
Wahbi Khazri
Joined St Etienne in a £6.5m deal and enjoyed a fine season with the French side, scoring 13 goals and contributing six assists in 32 league appearances.
St Etienne finished fourth in Ligue 1, ensuring a place in the Europa League group stages.
Billy Jones
Departed Wearside at the end of his contract and signed for Championship side Rotherham as a free agent.
The defender played in virtually half the Millers' league games and suffered relegation to League One for a second successive season.
Callum McManaman
Rejoined Wigan last summer, less than 12 months after moving to Sunderland.
Made 22 league appearances for the Latics, scoring one goal, but his only league start came last August.
The winger joined newly-promoted Championship side Luton Town earlier this month.
Jack Rodwell
After four unproductive – but highly lucrative – years on Wearside, Rodwell's contract was cancelled by mutual consent last summer.
He went on to sign for newly-promoted Blackburn Rovers as a free agent in August, and went on to make 21 appearances including 16 starts, scoring one goal.
Marc Wilson
Released by Sunderland last summer, defender Wilson joined Championship newcomers Bolton Wanderers as a free agent.
The former Republic of Ireland international made 16 appearances for the Trotters, including three starts.
His one-year deal at Bolton has now expired and he is a free agent once more.
Kazenga LuaLua
Another player released at the end of his contract by Sunderland last summer, LuaLua went on to sign for Luton Town and played 22 times, including 10 starts, and scored two goals as he helped the Hatters win promotion from League One as champions.
Out of contract this summer but talks are ongoing over a new deal at Kenilworth Road.
Papy Djilobodji
Sacked after staying away from training on Wearside last summer and then failed a fitness test.
Joined French top flight side Guingamp in January on a short-term deal and made four league appearances – two of them starts.
The centre-back made his debut from the bench in a 9-0 defeat at Paris St-Germain in January, and a week later was then shown a straight red card on his first league start. In between, he scored the winning goal as Guingamp beat Nancy in the Coupe de France.
Guingamp ended up bottom of the table and were relegated.
Didier Ndong
Another stayaway, Sunderland served Ndong notice that his contract would be terminated in September and the following month an agreement was reached that saw him leave the club, with the Black Cats due a fee should he move elsewhere.
He joined Guingamp in January on a three-and-a-half year contract.
Midfielder Ndong made eight starts and three sub appearances as Guingamp slid out of the top flight.
