Thornton wants move

Sean Thornton has handed in a transfer request for a move away from the Stadium of Light, according to his agent.

Thornton has featured in five of this season's eight league games so far - but every time coming on only as a second-half substitute, and has already amassed three yellow cards from those short appearances.

The Irish U21's agent Lee Payne confirmed today, "We can confirm that Sean has asked for a transfer and we will be confirming that in writing with the club this week."

Payne continued, "Sean loves everything about Sunderland, the club and especially the fans. But he has now reached a point where he must think about his career and his future.

"He is not happy with the current situation and something needs to change."

Thornton signed for Sunderland in July 2001 from Tranmere Rovers, sparking a furious reaction from the north-west team who accused Sunderland of making an illegal approach for the youngster. They turned down an offer of compensation from our then manager Peter Reid of £100,000 rising to £400,000 depending on appearances. The FA eventually ruled that Sunderland must pay £225,000 rising to £625,000 depending on appearances, and Tranmere will also receive 15% of any future sell-on fee.

The FA subsequently cleared Sunderland of making an illegal approach for Thornton, but fined the club £1,500 in relation to a technicality with the paperwork to enable the transfer to proceed.

In August 2003, Thornton found himself dropped from Mick McCarthy's side to face Nottingham Forest in our first league match back in Division One, after he and Jeff Whitley overslept and missed pre-match training, and more recently has faced criticism from some supporters for appearing overweight and for allegedly appearing disinterested as his team-mates ran rampant in our 4-0 away rout at Gillingham.