'Fantastic opportunity' - Sunderland chief reacts as promising midfielder completes permanent EFL transfer

Ben Middlemas has completed a permanent transfer from Sunderland to Swindon Town, the club have confirmed.

The 21-year-old has been a prominent member of Graeme Murty’s U21s in recent times, and had amassed 19 appearances for the development side this season prior to his departure from the Academy of Light, frequently sporting the captain’s armband.

Having first been named in a senior matchday squad at the age of 16, Middlemas went on to gain further experience at first team level with a short-term loan stint at local non-league side South Shields in 2024. This season, he was called up once by Regis Le Bris, making the bench in August’s Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Huddersfield Town.

Middlemas leaves his boyhood club to sign a two-and-a-half year deal with Swindon, who are currently challenging for the title in League Two. At the time of writing, the Robins are five points adrift of leaders Bromley, but hold a game in hand over their rivals.

What has been said Ben Middlemas’ exit from Sunderland?

Addressing the decision to allow Middlemas to leave the club, Sunderland academy manager, Robin Nicholls said: “This move enables Ben to join a senior environment at a great level. As an academy, we believe he is ready for his next step and he has a fantastic opportunity ahead of him.

“Ben possesses all the attributes a modern footballer requires to succeed and that is a testament to those who have played a part in his journey to date, including the player and his family, and our team at the Academy of Light. We wish him the very best of luck.”

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Will Sunderland sanction other departures this January?

Having already found loan deals for Timothee Pembele and Trey Ogunsuyi, as well as sanctioning permanent exits for Jay Matete and Middlemas, there is an expectation that more players could be allowed to leave Sunderland over the coming weeks as the Black Cats seek to trim their squad.

Addressing the possibilities of further departures during a recent press conference, head coach Le Bris said: “The conversation is open for every player who lacks minutes. That’s always the case. The most important thing is the club project – this is the first idea. Then, after that, it depends on the situation. If we think that over the second half of the season, the player won’t play a lot, then it means you can perhaps find a solution.

“But you have to find another club with a good project as well. I still say that it is important to stay open, to avoid misunderstandings. If it is clear for everyone, then after that you can move forward.”

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