Republic of Ireland international Gary Breen is on the lookout for a new club after being released by Sunderland. His contract was due to expire at the end of June.

Breen, a member of Steve Staunton's squad for next week's friendly against Chile at Lansdowne Road, was brought to the Riverside by Mick McCarthy in 2003 and captained the side that won promotion to the Premiership in 2004-05.

However, after a disastrous campaign in the top-flight, in which Sunderland managed just three wins and a total of 15 points, the 32-year-old is among the first wave of casualties as Sunderland begin their rebuilding process for life in the Championship.

Former Ireland Under-21 international goalkeeper Joe Murphy has also been told he has no future at the club. The 23-year-old had been a peripheral figure at the club, spending the majority of the season on loan at Walswall.

Justin Hoyte and Anthony Le Tallec have returned to Arsenal and Liverpool respectively after season-long loan deals.