Sunderland AFC confirms that Lynden Gooch has joined Stoke City.
The Club's longest-serving player departs after a 17-year association with SAFC, moving to the Potters for an undisclosed fee.
An adopted Mackem, Lynden first arrived on Wearside aged 10 and he went on to cement a red and white legacy by scoring the Club's first Wembley Stadium winner since 1973 in the 2021 EFL Trophy Final.
The USA international continued to live out boyhood dreams by enjoying champagne showers under the capital's famous arch for a second time 12 months later, as he fulfilled an unquestionable ambition to restore the Club to the second tier.
After making his Premier League debut against Manchester City in August 2016, Gooch concludes his time in the North East with a total of 247 first-team appearances.
The 27-year-old scored 25 goals and registered 38 assists for the Black Cats, whilst captaining the Club on multiple occasions wearing the red and white colours that he will always call home.
Following his departure, Lynden said: "Ever since I came to Wearside as a 10-year-old boy, all I’ve ever wanted to do is play for Sunderland AFC and I have been incredibly lucky to have played for the Club for as long as I have. I have made friends for life and Sunderland will always be the place that me, my fiancée and my two boys call home. From the Academy of Light to the Stadium of Light, thank you to all the staff who have helped me along the way. To the fans, it’s not been an easy journey together, but we fought back and being a Wembley winner with you is something that I will always hold in my heart. I gave everything for this Club and I hope I represented it like a true Mackem should. I will be back on the terraces one day supporting the red and white wizards with you all.”
Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman added: "Lynden lived the dream that all our academy players aspire to, and he’s had a significantly positive impact on Sunderland AFC for more than a decade. I can’t really do justice to his contribution, but I know how much it meant to him to be part of a successful team at this football club, with his 17-year association culminating in our return to the second tier. This move is one that we felt was right for both parties and everyone at the Club wishes Lynden the very best of luck in the next chapter of his career.”
All at SAFC thank Lynden for his immense contribution over the past 17 years and we wish him well at Stoke City.