SNS GroupOli Bainbridge has left Kilmarnock after being recalled early from his season-long loan by Sunderland.
The 19-year-old defender moved to Rugby Park in the summer but managed only nine appearances for Derek McInnes’ side and just two as a starter.
Bainbridge’s last start for Killie came in the away win over Tromso in a Conference League play-off in mid-August, and his parent club are now considering the “next steps” in his development.
Sunderland academy manager Robin Nicholls told the Black Cats website: “The time with Kilmarnock has been excellent for Oli. It was an incredibly difficult challenge for him to go to such a big club for his first loan but we have been really impressed with how he has faced it.
“He returns with the experience of having played in a European competition, faced Celtic and Rangers in the SPL in front of almost 60,000 and 45,000 spectators respectively, and the general challenges of integrating into a new squad and new area of the UK.
“We will take this January period to re-integrate him within the club and consider the next steps on his journey.”
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