Charis Mavrias has joined Fortuna Düsseldorf on loan until the end of the season.
Mavrias has endured a torrid time at Sunderland since the man who brought him in, Gus Poyet, left, and was even left out of their Premier League squad for the current season by former boss Dick Advocaat.
The Greek midfielder did feature for the Black Cats in their recent FA Cup defeat against Arsenal, but it has been made clear that he is not part of their future plans, and now an exit door has appeared after several slammed shut in the summer.
Fortuna in need of improvement
Sitting just one place and three points above the relegation play-off spot as we prepare for the 2. Bundesliga's return next weekend, Fortuna need to improve on their first half of the season display if they want to avoid the drop.
They have lost nine of their opening 19 games and are seriously entangled in the scrap for survival.
In Mavrias, however, they have brought in a player who will be keen to impress after enduring such a horrible spell with Sunderland. Cast aside, the Greek has a point to prove and the club will hope he can do this and fulfil his potential in Germany.
Allardyce continues clear-out
Like Fortuna, Sunderland are also struggling at the wrong end of their respective league, sat second-from-bottom in the Premier League. Again like the German outfit, they too are looking to bring in players to help their situation, but they need to rid of some first before they can do so.
Mavrias becomes the fourth first team loan departure of the window - following Liam Bridcutt, Will Buckley and Danny Graham out of the door - and the fifth in total after goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon joined Watford permanently.
The Black Cats will hope Mavrias' move helps them free up more room for incomings now, as they aim to abide by the Financial Fair Play regulations.