Sunderland needed a strong run of form at the back end of last season to retain their place in the Premier League.
Head coach Gus Poyet will be keen to avoid a similar situation this time around and the Uruguayan was handed funds to improve his squad this summer.
They also managed to retain the services of key forwards Steven Fletcher and Connor Wickham, but experienced Premier League pair Phil Bardsley and Jack Colback were among those that sought pastures new.
In: Jordi Gomez (Wigan Athletic) Free, Billy Jones (West Bromwich Albion) Free, Costel Pantilimon (Manchester City) Free, Patrick van Aanholt (Chelsea) Undisclosed, Jack Rodwell (Manchester City) Undisclosed, Santiago Vergini (Estudiantes) Loan, Will Buckley (Brighton & Hove Albion) Undisclosed, Sebastian Coates (Liverpool) Loan, Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan) Loan
Out: Billy Knott (Bradford City) Free, Phil Bardsley (Stoke City) Free, Craig Gardner (West Bromwich Albion) Free, Carlos Cuellar Released, Andrea Dossena Released, John Egan Released, Oscar Ustari Released, David Vaughan Released
Kieren Westwood Released, Jack Colback (Newcastle United) Free, Alfred N'Diaye (Real Betis) Undisclosed, El-Hadji Ba (Bastia) Loan, Modibo Diakite Released, Valentin Roberge (Stade de Reims) Loan
Here, Sports Mole Sofa panellists Pascal Lemesre, Barney Corkhill and Matt Law work their way through the club's summer business.
