MusaFormer Sunderland defender Joe Anderson has thanked the club and its supporters following his permanent departure from Wearside, bringing an end to three years with the Black Cats.
Anderson shared a farewell message on Instagram after completing a move to Barrow AFC, where he has signed an 18-month contract for an undisclosed fee. The post featured a message from Sunderland wishing him well, alongside his own words reflecting on his time at the club. “Thank you to the club, staff, players and of course the fans for the last 3 years. Back where the club belongs! It’s been a pleasure @sunderlandafc,” Anderson wrote.
The 24-year-old joined Sunderland from Everton in January 2023 and went on to make seven senior appearances for the club, the last of which came in April last year. While opportunities in the first team were limited, Anderson remained part of the squad during a period that ultimately culminated in Sunderland’s promotion back to the Premier League.
Anderson spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Shrewsbury Town before returning to Wearside last summer. He was one of several players informed ahead of the new campaign that they were not part of Régis Le Bris’ plans and subsequently trained away from the first-team group while his future was resolved.
Barrow confirmed Anderson as their third signing of the month, following the arrivals of goalkeeper Killian Barrett and Stoke City loanee Freddie Anderson. Speaking after the deal was completed, Barrow head coach Paul Gallagher said: “Having played at Championship level with Sunderland before and in League One, Joe knows what it takes to perform at higher levels, and I am looking forward to getting to work right away with him on the training pitch.”
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman also paid tribute to Anderson’s professionalism during a difficult period. “Joe’s had a difficult period, predominantly training without the game exposure he requires, but his character and application have been exemplary,” Speakman said. “This move provides a foundation for the next stage of his career and an opportunity to show his ability. We wish him the best of luck in this next chapter.”
Anderson’s exit continues Sunderland’s January clear-out, following Jay Matete’s permanent move to MK Dons and Timothée Pembélé’s loan switch to Le Havre. Abdoullah Ba and Ian Poveda remain without clubs as the window progresses.
Speaking after joining Barrow, Anderson said he was relishing the fresh challenge. “I’m absolutely delighted to get the move done,” he said. “From when I first heard about the interest to when I spoke to the Gaffer moved quite quickly, and from the conversations we had, I was set on coming here from the get-go. A big thing about why we [Sunderland] went up last year was the changing room, off the pitch, and hopefully I can bring that here.
“On the pitch, of course, I hope I can contribute, but off the pitch, I hope to bring a bit of seniority as well, and I want to help the lads, even if it 1,2,3 % more to push up the table, then that is what we need to do. It’s quite cliché to say, but I would say I’m a modern-day defender, I take pride in clean sheets and think it’s the best way to win football matches.”
Musa
