TYNE AND WEAR, England, CMC – Veteran Trinidadian striker Dwight Yorke has been released from England Premiership club Sunderland, a move that could signal the end of his club days in England.
The northeast England club announced Thursday that the 37-year-old Trinidad & Tobago captain would not be offered a new contract, ending yet another chapter in Yorke’s 19-year club career in Britain.
His current contract expired at the end of the just concluded season where Sunderland narrowly avoided relegation.
The former Manchester United striker is among seven players off loaded by the club and they seek to rebuild after a trying season in England’s top flight.
Yorke, a key member of T&T’s team currently involved in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, spent three seasons at the club after being bought by former Sunderland coach Roy Keane with whom he had played at United. Playing a more central midfield role, Yorke helped the Tynesiders gain promotion from the league Championship in his first season and also provided leadership and experience for the young side in the Premiership.
When Keane quit the club last December, Yorke assumed the role as one of the first team’s assistant coaches while also remaining on the roster as a player.
Yorke became the fifth oldest player in Sunderland history when he made his 62nd and final appearance for the club against Manchester United.
He is one the most highly decorated Caribbean footballers, having won the historic Treble (Champions League, Premiership and FA Cup) with United in 1999.
He spent nine successful years at Aston Villa before moving to United and then on to Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City.
Yorke is currently preparing for T&T’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica on June 6.