Ex-Sunderland striker Josh Maja scored a hattrick for Bordeaux last night, which has drawn some sad and frustrated responses from fans of the North East club. 

The 20-year-old scored three times and contributed an assist as the French side beat Nimes 6-0 in the Ligue 1 tie at Matmut Atlantique yesterday.

Maja was making just his third start of the season in the league, with the majority of his appearances coming as a substitute.

The Nigerian striker has scored seven goals in 22 appearances since joining the French club from Sunderland in January for a reported fee of £3.5 million.

Maja had been in fantastic form for the Black Cats in the first half of the 2018/19 campaign–top-scoring with 16 goals and helping propel them to near the top of League One.

However, the forward had stalled on signing a new contract and with his deal set to expire in the summer, Sunderland opted to cash in, rather than let him walk away as a free agent.

Think you know ex-Sunderland players? Take our quiz to find out!

The North East club have struggled to find a replacement, with their current striking options, Will Grigg, Charlie Wyke, and Marc McNulty, scoring just four league goals between them this year.

Maja's exit appears to still be a painful one for many Sunderland fans, as evidenced by their frustrated responses to last night's hattrick.

Read the reaction of Black Cats supporters here: