Dan Neil, Elliot Embleton and Anthony Patterson are three players in recent seasons who have broken through at Sunderland after coming through the Academy of Light.
England players Jordan Pickford and Jordan Henderson have also come up through Sunderland’s youth system, which is rated as one of the most productive in the country and has retained its category-one status for several years now, placing it amongst the country’s best.
But who are some of the best youngsters coming through and which youngsters already at the club could and would save and earn Sunderland millions in transfer fees over the coming years? Here, we take a look:
5. Jobe Bellingham
Whatever Sunderland paid Birmingham City for Jobe Bellingham last summer was worth every penny, with a figure of around £3million rumoured to be the price, though we don’t know how the deal was structured. Jobe, 18, has cemented himself as a regular in the Championship and is worth significantly more now than he was when the Black Cats signed him. Photo: Frank Reid
6. Zak Johnson
The 19-year-old England youth international could have a big future in the game of football and played for Sunderland in the Papa John’s Trophy as a 16-year-old a couple of years ago. Johnson gained some experience at Hartlepool United this season but has now returned to Wearside. Photo: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC
7. Daniel Cameron
19-year-old Dan Cameron is another player who has risen through the ranks at the Academy of Light. The 6’4’’ goalkeeper has been with Sunderland since the under-10 age group and trained with Sunderland’s first team last summer. (Brilliant photo courtesy of Ben Cuthbertson) Photo: Ben Cuthbertson
8. Finlay Holcroft
The young defender is another player who has caught the eye whilst playing for Sunderland’s age group teams. The defender impressed against Middlesbrough in the FA Youth Cup and has featured regularly in the under-18 Premier League. Photo: Ben Cuthbertson