Sunderland academy teams see season brought to an early conclusion with big decisions looming

It means that Sunderland’s youth sides will not play again until the start of a new campaign, which will not begin ‘any earlier than usually would be expected’.

Sunderland’s programme is administered by the Premier League due to their category one status, which they retained earlier this year.

The season has not been declared null and void, with the methodology for determining final placings to be determined at a later date.

It has been a bruising campaign for the U18 and U23 sides, who are both bottom of their respective leagues having failed to win a league game this season.

The U18 team in particular has been affected by a number of its talented players leaving for top Premier League clubs since Sunderland’s drop into the third tier at senior level.

The Premier League say their decision will give ‘clarity’ to clubs and players, with Sunderland facing a number of key decisions.

The majority of the U18 squad have already been told that they will not be retained for next season, while a number of U23 players could also move on.

Williams Kokolo has joined Middlesbrough in one move already sealed, while the future of Benji Kimpioka remains unclear.

Academy Manager Paul Reid was recently recalled from furlough leave alongisde Head of Coaching Lewis Dickman and Head of Education and Welfare Don Peattie.

Reid has overseen an overhaul of the academy’s recruitment structures, which saw former academy manager Ged McNamee return to the club to head up the department.