Boro legend Grant Leadbitter considering his options as he bids Sunderland emotional farewell
Grant Leadbitter will leave Sunderland this summer and is now considering his options
Middlesbrough's Grant Leadbitter acknowledges the fans at the end of the game (Image: CameraSport - Chris Vaughan)
Middlesbrough legend Grant Leadbitter is considering retirement following his Sunderland exit this summer.
Leadbitter left Boro two-and-a-half years ago to rejoin boyhood club Sunderland and try and help them return to the Championship.
But the Black Cats have this season once again missed out on promotion after their defeat to Lincoln City in the League One play-offs.
And following that defeat, the Wearsiders' retained list confirmed that Leadbitter, now 35, would leave the club as Lee Johnson looks to rebuild his squad.
An emotional Leadbitter was pictured after the play-off defeat at the Stadium of Light reflecting alone on the touchline close to the spot where his father's ashes are scattered.
And reposting the picture on his Instagram, he wrote: "Sunderland fans, first of all, an apology. I'd have loved to have helped deliver Premier League football back to Wearside during my second spell, never mind promotion to the Championship.
"But thank you, you’ll always be in my heart.
"It would have been perfect to have finished my time back at the Stadium of Light with promotion but it wasn’t to be.
"There are disappointments, of course there are, but there are great memories too throughout my time playing for Sunderland over both spells.
"I have learned so much during my second spell at the club, some good and some bad, and I will always learn from such experiences.
"I will remember captaining the team one last time, with fans back at the stadium for the Playoff 2nd leg, and the incredible noise you created last Saturday.
"We fell short in succeeding.
"Hopefully that can be achieved next year, the loudest cheers coming from me, celebrating as a fan.
"It’s almost two and a half years since I rejoined Sunderland, where it all started as a 6-year-old, and I will always be immensely proud to have worn the red and white shirt in every game I played.
"It has meant the world to me and my family.
"I will always remember the few people at the club who helped me through some tough times personally last year, that will stay with me.
"I am now going to enjoy a break with my family, consider my options and decide my next step. I haven’t decided yet.
"Sunderland was the club I supported as a schoolboy, where my career started and I will always love the club.
"Please support the young players coming through next season and help them develop. The good times will come back.”
As well as Sunderland, Leadbitter is a legend on Teesside too where he spent seven years of his career, captaining the Boro to promotion in 2016 under Aitor Karanka.
Leadbitter may yet to decide to play on but should he decide to hang his boots up he's already started his coaching badges and discussed on the official Sunderland AFC Unfiltered podcast that youth/academy coaching was something that particularly interested him.
Maintaining close relationships with many people at Rockliffe, including academy boss Craig Liddle and U23 manager Graeme Lee, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Leadbitter one day returns to Boro in that kind of capacity.
Boro legend Grant Leadbitter considering his options as he bids Sunderland emotional farewell
Grant Leadbitter will leave Sunderland this summer and is now considering his options
Middlesbrough's Grant Leadbitter acknowledges the fans at the end of the game (Image: CameraSport - Chris Vaughan)
Middlesbrough legend Grant Leadbitter is considering retirement following his Sunderland exit this summer.
Leadbitter left Boro two-and-a-half years ago to rejoin boyhood club Sunderland and try and help them return to the Championship.
But the Black Cats have this season once again missed out on promotion after their defeat to Lincoln City in the League One play-offs.
And following that defeat, the Wearsiders' retained list confirmed that Leadbitter, now 35, would leave the club as Lee Johnson looks to rebuild his squad.
An emotional Leadbitter was pictured after the play-off defeat at the Stadium of Light reflecting alone on the touchline close to the spot where his father's ashes are scattered.
And reposting the picture on his Instagram, he wrote: "Sunderland fans, first of all, an apology. I'd have loved to have helped deliver Premier League football back to Wearside during my second spell, never mind promotion to the Championship. View attachment 19260
"But thank you, you’ll always be in my heart.
"It would have been perfect to have finished my time back at the Stadium of Light with promotion but it wasn’t to be.
"There are disappointments, of course there are, but there are great memories too throughout my time playing for Sunderland over both spells.
"I have learned so much during my second spell at the club, some good and some bad, and I will always learn from such experiences.
"I will remember captaining the team one last time, with fans back at the stadium for the Playoff 2nd leg, and the incredible noise you created last Saturday.
"Hopefully that can be achieved next year, the loudest cheers coming from me, celebrating as a fan.
"It’s almost two and a half years since I rejoined Sunderland, where it all started as a 6-year-old, and I will always be immensely proud to have worn the red and white shirt in every game I played.
"It has meant the world to me and my family.
"I will always remember the few people at the club who helped me through some tough times personally last year, that will stay with me.
"I am now going to enjoy a break with my family, consider my options and decide my next step. I haven’t decided yet.
"Sunderland was the club I supported as a schoolboy, where my career started and I will always love the club.
"Please support the young players coming through next season and help them develop. The good times will come back.”
As well as Sunderland, Leadbitter is a legend on Teesside too where he spent seven years of his career, captaining the Boro to promotion in 2016 under Aitor Karanka.
Leadbitter may yet to decide to play on but should he decide to hang his boots up he's already started his coaching badges and discussed on the official Sunderland AFC Unfiltered podcast that youth/academy coaching was something that particularly interested him.
Maintaining close relationships with many people at Rockliffe, including academy boss Craig Liddle and U23 manager Graeme Lee, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Leadbitter one day returns to Boro in that kind of capacity.
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