Sunderland have terminated the contract of Didier Ndong as a result of his no-show during the summer nor the beginning of the season.
The Gabonese midfielder failed to appear for pre-season training, albeit under contract with the League One side, after a £7m move to Italian club Torino fell through despite terms being agreed. And he was not at the club's training ground this Monday.
Ndong, who was hoping for a move away from the Black Cats this summer, saw his last chance of an escape blocked after the Portuguese transfer window closed on Friday.
He was spotted at Newcastle Airport on Saturday and Sunderland were made aware of his arrival in England, but had no desire to let him back in training; although he had previously indicated he would take a pay cut to spend the rest of the season with the club.