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Wes Brown has signed a new contract with Sunderland after apparently impressing Dick Advocaat last season.
The 35-year-old defender was set to become a free agent this summer after four injury-interrupted but mostly solid years on Wearside. Initial reports suggested he was to be allowed to leave the club, but the Dutchman seems to have intervened and moved to keep the former Manchester United defender for another year.
A brief statement on the official website said:
Sunderland AFC defender Wes Brown will extend his stay at the Stadium of Light with a one-year deal until June 2016.
The experienced defender arrived at Sunderland in 2011, joining from Manchester United, and has made over 80 appearances for the Black Cats.
One of the most decorated defenders in English football, Brown spent 16 years with Manchester United winning 17 major club honours before making the move to Wearside.
It's tough to have a strong opinion on it either way really. It's one of those where you could have understand either decision.
Certainly worse people to have around the place than Brown, though, and if it frees us a few million this summer for strengthening elsewhere, it's likely a very shrewd decision.