Sunderland add former Middlesbrough youngster to Elliott Dickman's U23 group ahead of the new season

Elliott Dickman is in the process of rebuilding his U23 squad ahead of the new season after a challenging campaign in which they did not win a league game.

Wearne is a 19-year-old attacking midfielder formerly of Middlesbrough and has impressed during a trial period at the club.

He is the sixth new arrival to Dickman’s group this summer, following Kenton Richardson, Vinnie Steels, Bobby Beaumont, Will Harris and Sam Wilding.

Dickman said: “We’ve been aware of Stephen for a long time, so we know the qualities he has. We’ve had him at the academy for a couple of weeks now and he’s impressed. It’s another good addition for us heading into the season.”

Wearne added: “I’m delighted to be here. It’s a huge opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get started and show what I can do.”

After a number of players sales significantly weakened the U18 and U23 groups, Phil Parkinson has signalled his intent to create a more competitive U23 side this season.

Speaking last week, he said: “We are trying this season to build an U23 team and have some integration with the younger players in the first team squad and that U23 team and treat it like a reserve team.

"I felt last year it was difficult in that U23 team in terms of the results but I didn't feel there were enough players ready to step up and stake a claim.

"For the future of the club as well, we’ve got to build the academy back up,” he added.

“We’ve got to have players wanting to sign for our academy and wanting to stay there because they see that there are chances to get in and around our first-team squad.

"Myself, Jim Rodwell, the board and academy staff have been discussing all summer how we want the U23s to play the same shape as the first team and want that crossover between the two teams, and in turn also strengthen that team up as well because we want to be more competitive in that division."