CONFIRMED: An era is over as Sunderland captain John O’Shea signs for Reading

John O’Shea has ended a seven-year spell at Sunderland and put pen to paper on a one-year deal with Championship side Reading. The experienced defender will officially join up with the Royals on July 1, once his contract with Sunderland expires.

The 37-year-old, who retired from international football last week, had been hoping to continue his playing career at the Stadium of Light, but with no new deal forthcoming from new manager Jack Ross and the player keen on extending his playing days for another season, O’Shea has decided to link up with Paul Clement’s Reading.

O’Shea gave an interview to Reading’s official website explaining why he chose to join them:

He will link up with some familiar faces at the Madjeski Stadium, with Paul McShane and Vito Mannone being joined by fellow recent arrival David Meyler.

O’Shea leaves Sunderland after making 256 appearances in all competitions, including a record of most Premier League appearances for the club with 189.

With new owners and a new manager coming in, O’Shea’s departure really helps the new era feel to the club and so it was fitting that his last act as a Sunderland player was to hand the captain’s armband to 16-year-old academy graduate Bali Mumba.

Sunderland AFC