The American had spent the majority of his career at the Stadium of Light and had been through a lot with the Black Cats.
When he first joined the club in the early 2020s, he witnessed the Wearside outfit being relegated twice in two seasons, which was a huge setback for a big club like the Black Cats.
It took them a while, but they ultimately made it back to the Championship in 2022, and Gooch played a big part in that.
Lynden Gooch’s move from Sunderland to Stoke City
Despite making some vital contributions at the Stadium of Light over the years, it always appeared that he would be shipped off in the summer.
Although his contract had not expired at the time, he was one of the elder members of the squad, and with the Black Cats preferring to focus on youth, that was one possible reason for his departure.
Furthermore, he did not appear to be a regular starter for the 2023/24 season, with Niall Huggins capable of playing right-back and Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts capable of operating out on the flank.
Stoke City chose to take advantage of his availability by signing him, with the Potters revamping their squad and felt the American should be a part of their new-look squad.
Alex Neil, who coached Gooch at the Stadium of Light before moving to the bet365 Stadium last year, appears to have played a significant role in this deal.
What did Lynden Gooch say to Sunderland supporters?
Gooch received a warm welcome from the visiting Black Cats fans throughout the game, which was pleasant given that some fans of other clubs boo former players regardless of whether they left on a poor note or not.
“Great battle and an important 3 points against a top team yesterday!” said the 27-year-old.
“It was strange for me to play against my boyhood club for the first time.” Thank you to everyone at Sunderland for your support before, during, and after the game; it meant a lot to me.”
Should Sunderland have let go of Lynden Gooch?
This is a discussion that has cooled down now that the summer window has passed.
However, it is still a real question, and the decision to sell him will be viewed as either a success or a tragedy.
From a positive standpoint, players must frequently be sold in order for a club to have the best chance of spending as much as possible in the market while adhering to financial constraints.
There was no purpose in keeping Gooch if he wasn’t going to be a significant part of Tony Mowbray’s first-team ambitions.
He may not have been paid much, but unloading him allowed the Black Cats to bring in a player or two.
That extra player or two might mean the difference between promotion and relegation at the conclusion of the season.
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