Sunderland AFC news: Ex-Black Cats, Middlesbrough, Huddersfield Town and Stoke City switch from Turkey

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The 40-year-old will reunite with former Oxford United captain Adam Murray, who was named assistant boss in March, after leaving Port Vale, where the couple had worked together following Whitehead’s retirement in 2018.

In 2004, Whitehead signed for Sunderland on a free transfer, with the Championship club at the time, on a three-year contract with the club.

However, Sunderland were ordered to pay Oxford £150,000 in an FA court to compensate for their development. Oxford would also receive 25% of any fees should Sunderland sell Whitehead. Whitehead was later to become club captain under former boss Roy Keane.

SUNDERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM – SEPTEMBER 23: Dean Whitehead of Sunderland runs with the ball during the Carling Cup third round match between Sunderland and Northampton Town at the Stadium of Light on September 23, 2008 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

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That fee turned out to be in the region of £3-5m after the midfielder joined Stoke City in 2009 after making 200 appearances for Sunderland in all competitions over five seasons, winning promotion to the Premier League twice.

After four seasons at Stoke City, Whitehead joined Middlesbrough and then Huddersfield Town before retiring in the 2017-18 season and has now joined the coaching staff of Besiktas, who are one of the biggest clubs in Turkey and is led by former Barnsley and West Bromwich Albion. boss Valérien Ismaël. Besiktas have won 21 top-flight titles in Turkey but finished sixth last season.

Speaking to the official Port Vale website, Whitehead said: “This opportunity is something I couldn’t turn down and I would like to thank the club for supporting me and allowing me to do so.”

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