Jobe Bellingham and Patrick Roberts salute Dan Neil after Sunderland departure | OneFootball

Former Sunderland players, including Patrick Roberts and Jobe Bellingham, have paid warm tributes to Dan Neil after his departure was confirmed.

According to Sunderland Echo, the midfielder leaves after a long association that began in the academy and ended with him wearing the armband for his boyhood club.

Roberts reflected on Neil as the embodiment of a local lad who gave everything, grew into a leader and close friend, from sharing pre-season rooms and golf rounds to a bond he considers lifelong.

Bellingham described a constant presence beside him through highs and difficult days, saying Neil quietly led, never stopped trying to help team-mates and was driven by how much Sunderland meant to him.

He added that playing sometimes felt like it was for Neil’s aspirations too, and that the captaincy suited a player he regards as a Sunderland legend.

Teenage midfielder Chris Rigg credited Neil with welcoming him into the senior set-up, helping his development on and off the pitch, and guiding him from shared roots to appearances on the biggest stage.

Neil departs with over 200 senior appearances, progressing from academy graduate to first-team regular and captain, winning promotion from League One and the Championship and lifting the trophy at Wembley as Sunderland returned to the Premier League.

Source: Sunderland Echo