Jermain Defoe makes key Sunderland admission following retirement

Former Sunderland forward Jermain Defoe admits he knew he was a yard off the pace in multiple appearances for the League One club during his short second stint there, making this revelation to talkSPORT.

The 39-year-old arrived at the Stadium of Light on deadline day to provide competition for Ross Stewart with the club severely lacking in options at the time of his arrival, especially with Nathan Broadhead’s absence causing a real headache.

This decision to recruit him was seemingly taken by the hierarchy with Lee Johnson departing the previous day and although his successor Alex Neil gave the forward a chance to shine, he was unable to make a real impact.

With this, the former England international announced his retirement yesterday following speculation about his future and this has once again left the Black Cats with a shortage in options up top amid another push for Championship football next term.

This is why his retirement may have come as a surprise to some with the 39-year-old making a respectable seven appearances in under two months during his second spell at the Stadium of Light – and he wouldn’t have received a lack of first-team opportunities from now until the remainder of the season either.

However, Defoe has since revealed he didn’t feel as though he was fit enough to continue and was also wary about youngsters coming through the Wearside outfit’s youth system as he spoke to talkSPORT.

He said (via the Daily Mail): “People might see highlights and think, ‘He still looks fit and sharp’. But as you get older, it doesn’t get easier.

“The more time goes on without really playing, it becomes difficult. I didn’t want to block the pathway for a youngster.

“A couple of times I’ve played, deep down you know