Former Sunderland midfielder Steed Malbranque’s contract with St Etienne terminated by mutual consent
Reports confirm that Steed Malbranque, the former Sunderland attacking midfielder, has terminated his contract with Ligue 1 side St Etienne. The news comes after a month Malbranque signed with the French outfit in the summer transfer window.
There were initially conflicting reports as to why Malbranque left St Etienne, with reports claiming that the 31-year-old had decided to leave the club to care for his son. Both French and British newspapers reported the Frenchman’s young son was suffering
from cancer because of which Malbranque had decided to quit.
Shortly after the rumours of an ill son, the player’s agent, Sebastien Boisseau, denied all previous reports. He insisted Malbranque did not have a son and further confirmed that no member of his client’s immediate family was ill.
The club released an official statement regarding the termination of Malbranque’s contract, stating that the decision had come after a mutual agreement. They denied that the reason for the termination of the contract had been because of the health of a family
member.
The official statement read:
“At a meeting held Monday night between the management of AS St Etienne and Steed Malbranque, both parties have decided, by mutual agreement, to amicably end their collaboration.
St Etienne and the player would like to strongly deny all the rumours referring to the health of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steed-Malbranque-c33957 or children that accompanied the decision of the individual.
This choice is his alone and ASSE fully respects Steed's will.”
It continued:
“The management of AS St Etienne would like to wish Steed the best in his choices and his future life.”
Malbranque returned to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 after ten years of playing in the English Premier League, after leaving Lyon in 2001. The midfielder has featured for Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland during his time in the Premier League, deciding to return to his
homeland after a three year spell with the Black Cats.
However, his return to the Ligue 1 has been brought to an abrupt end by the unexpected and unexplained contract termination after just one appearance for St Etienne. It is not known if there will be further statements by the player of his agent regarding
the issue.
Tags: