Ex-Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin expected to leave Sunderland with deal lined up

The Scotland international is out of contract at the end if June

Ex-Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin is set to leave Sunderland at the end of June.

The Scotland international’s contract expires and with the Mackems consigned to a third straight season in the English third tier his future lies elsewhere.

According to reports in England, McLaughlin has a deal lined up with Blackburn Rovers.

Jon McLaughlin is set to leave Sunderland. Picture: SNS

The Championship side are managed by ex-Hibs manager Tony Mowbray who is a keen admirer, report The Northern Echo.

The 32-year-old was signed by current Hibs boss Jack Ross in the summer of 2018 after he left Hearts having spent one season at Tynecastle.

During his spell in Gorgie, he became a fans’ favourite due to his reliability between the sticks.

The Hearts support had been hopeful that he would return, while there were tentative links with a move to Easter Road now Ross is manager.

However, McLaughlin is understood to have held talks with Blackburn Rovers with the move to be completed when his contract expires and the transfer window opens.

Ex-Hearts defender Alim Ozturk is also out of contract at the end of the month. He became a key player under Phil Parkinson before the shutdown having been signed by Ross but could explore options elsewhere with reported interest.