Sunderland have initiated measures to terminate the contract of midfielder Didier Ndong.
In a statement released on Monday, Sunderland said that the Gabonese international had failed to report for pre-season training. According to the Sunderland Echo, Ndong was dismissed after turning up at the club's training ground on Monday.
Ndong signed for Sunderland in 2016 for a reported £13.6 million from Lorient. He made 31 appearances that season as Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League.
In the Championship last season, he played 18 times before moving on loan to Watford where he failed to make an appearance.
He subsequently went missing after Sunderland were relegated to League One.
"Sunderland AFC has given notice under its contract with Didier Ndong," said the statement from Sunderland.
The player, who was under contract with the club until June 2021, failed to return to Sunderland for pre-season training in July as scheduled, nor in the subsequent months that followed. No reason was given for his failure to report and continued absence.
As a result, the club has accepted Didier Ndong’s repudiatory breaches of contract and notice of the same has been provided to the player. Sunderland AFC does so whilst retaining the right to pursue the player and any club he may subsequently join in relation to compensation for the value of the player.
It is the second time this season where Sunderland have taken such action against a player. Earlier this month, Papy Djilobodji was also was sacked after failing to report for pre-season training and then failing a fitness test.
