Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Sunderland have announced that the deal to sign fan favorite Yann M'Villa in January has been called off as the player is no longer interested in returning.
M'Villa spent time on loan at the Black Cats this year, helping former manager Sam Allardyce and his squad retain their top-flight status at the end of last season.
The France international, who was once described as the one of the brightest midfield prospect in Ligue 1, earned somewhat of a cult hero status at the Stadium on Light.
It was said that a move for the Rubin Kazan man fell through on deadline day, with the 26-year-old publicly stating his disappointment of not returning to the Premier League.
However, the club's chief executive Martin Bain, revealed that the player has changed his mind.
"Any player we bring to Sunderland must be wholly committed," he told BBC Football.
"I was contacted this week by Yann M'Vila's representatives, who advised that the player no longer wishes to join Sunderland.
"There was a three-and-a-half-year agreement in place, however after discussions with the manager we have decided not to enforce the contract."
