Sunderland have confirmed they will be not be taking up an option to sign Djibril Cisse on a permanent deal.
The 27-year-old Frenchman spent the season on loan at the Stadium of Light from Marseille, and the Black Cats negotiated the terms of a prospective transfer then.
However, chairman Niall Quinn has revealed that they would not be taking up that option.
He told the club's official website: ''We wish Djibril well and thank him for his contribution to the club this season.''
It is understood the fee Sunderland agreed was around £10m, although because it was set in Euros, the weakness of the pound since meant it could have amounted to nearer £13m.
Cisse made 38 appearances for the club and scored 11 goals, one fewer than strike-partner Kenwyne Jones, but he found the back of the net only once in his last 12, four of which came from the bench as it became clear that he was unlikely to remain on Wearside.
