Sunderland have confirmed defender Bryan Oviedo has left the club to join FC Copenhagen.
Oviedo was a rare phenomenon, a decent David Moyes signing, having been brought to the Stadium of Light by the Glaswegian in January 2017. The twenty-nine-year-old Costa Rica international went on to make seventy-seven appearances for the Black Cats during some of the darkest times in the famous old club’s history.
Although many Sunderland fans at times questioned his ability, very few questioned his commitment and professionalism during the club’s disastrous fall from the Premier League to League One. He remains a popular and respected figure amongst the majority of supporters who soon took to social media to praise the attitude of their departing left-back.
While he may only ever have been a more than capable full-back, the fact supporters never got the sense he was disrupting the dressing room despite desperately seeking a move away from the club means unlike some of his often more talented former teammates, Oviedo leaves the club with the best wishes and gratitude of many of its supporters.
Here is a selection of their responses to the news on Twitter.
Top man and a top professional. Nothing but respect for Bryan
— Michael (@mich_aelo) July 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/dtm73_/status/1155799963479236608?s=20
Best of luck Bryan. Shamed some of the players by just knuckling down and getting stuck in
— TWANGMACKEM8258™️ 🏴🇧🇦 (@twangmackem) July 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/dan_humphrey1/status/1155801793001140231?s=20
Top man and a top professional. Nothing but respect for Bryan
— Michael (@mich_aelo) July 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/BaghdadCocaCola/status/1155799793668632579?s=20
good luck Bryan. You have been the ultimate professional footballer. You stood by the club in the bad times. Can only wish you well for the future. Always welcome back. Thank you #safc
— Gerry McGregor 💙 (@Gerry_McGregor) July 29, 2019
Top class attitude and stuck with us through it all…. best of luck
— Brad (@braddfearnleyy) July 29, 2019
All the best Bryan! When others went on strike etc. You remained a true professional – you’ll always have my respect 👏#oviedobaby
— Dan (@Dan1879_SAFC) July 29, 2019
Good luck Bryan, true professional. Players like N'Dong and Kone could learn a thing or 2 from u! Class act through put your time! 🔴⚪🔴⚪🔴
— Bradley (@bradaz04) July 29, 2019
Never complained about the situation just got on with it, good role model
Good luck Bryan— Stuart Shaw (@Stuartftm1983) July 29, 2019
