David Moyes surprised by Jermain Defoe contract clause

Sunderland manager David Moyes has revealed his surprise that star striker Jermain Defoe has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave the club now that they have been relegated from the Premier League.

The 34-year-old has enjoyed a stellar season personally despite his club's woes, scoring 15 goals in the Premier League and earning his first call-up to the England national team in more than three years.

Yesterday Defoe confirmed that as a result of the Black Cats' relegation, a clause in his contract means that he will become a free agent and leave the Stadium of Light this summer.

"It was great for him to get a goal last week - that's what Jermaine does," Moyes told reporters today. "We've needed his goals all year and we hope he stays.

"Everyone at the club wants him to stay and all the supporters want him to stay, but it has to be Jermaine's decision.

"There is a clause in his contract. In my time as manager I wouldn't have allowed a clause to be in there but it is and we have to honour the contract."

Defoe, who has current wages of £80,000 a week, has already been linked with Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion this summer.

Sunderland, meanwhile, may have some say in who joins them in the Championship next season as they welcome relegation battlers Swansea City to the Stadium of Light tomorrow afternoon.