Former Sunderland academy midfielder Ethan Robson has joined South Shields on loan after being recalled by Carlisle United

Former Sunderland and Blackpool midfielder Ethan Robson has joined South Shields on loan until the end of the season, as the Mariners look to stabilise their campaign following a difficult spell in the National League North.

The 29-year-old arrives at Mariners Park from Carlisle United, with both clubs confirming the deal earlier this week. The move comes after Robson’s recent loan spell at Spennymoor Town. South Shields confirmed the signing in a statement on social media, posting: “We are delighted to announce the signing of Ethan Robson on loan from Carlisle United until the end of the season, subject to FA approval. Welcome to the Mariners, Ethan!”

Carlisle United also moved quickly to clarify the midfielder’s situation, confirming that he had been recalled from Spennymoor before making the switch across the region. A club statement read: “Carlisle United can confirm that Ethan Robson has been recalled from Spennymoor Town and will join South Shields on loan for the remainder of the campaign. Robson, 29, joined Spennymoor Town in October and went on to make 12 appearances for the Moors during his time with the club. Ethan will now join the Mariners on loan until the end of the season.”

Robson signed a two-year deal with Carlisle in June 2024 and has made 11 appearances for the Cumbrians to date, scoring his first goal for the club with a free-kick in a 2-0 opening-day victory over Woking last August. However, his season was disrupted early on by a hamstring injury that ruled him out for around three months, limiting his opportunities to establish himself in the side.

A return to the North East will hold particular significance for Robson, who was born in Houghton-le-Spring and attended St Robert of Newminster Catholic School in nearby Washington. He joined Sunderland at the age of eight and progressed through the academy ranks, captaining the club’s development and under-23 sides before turning professional in 2014.

During his time at the Stadium of Light, Robson was highly regarded at youth level and was named Premier League 2 Player of the Month in August 2016. He made his senior debut for Sunderland in September 2017 as a late substitute in an EFL Cup defeat to Everton, before also featuring in the Championship against Cardiff City later that week. However, first-team opportunities proved limited, and he departed the club in 2020 after making nine league appearances across a 16-year spell.

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Robson went on to join Blackpool in August 2020, helping the club to promotion through the League One play-offs and scoring once in the EFL Trophy before spending the 2021-22 season on loan at Milton Keynes Dons, where he impressed sufficiently to earn a permanent move the following summer. His time at MK Dons included a goal against Portsmouth and a run of regular appearances, but he was released in 2024 after the club’s relegation from League One. Carlisle offered Robson the chance to restart his career last summer, but another difficult campaign followed, with the club struggling near the foot of League Two before their eventual relegation. Loan spells at Gateshead and Spennymoor followed, with Robson finding the net for Gateshead shortly after his arrival last spring.

Now, South Shields will hope Robson’s experience across the EFL and non-league can help them in the closing months of the season. A technically gifted midfielder with a strong left foot and set-piece ability, Robson brings leadership and know-how to a squad in need of composure and control. The move represents another opportunity to reset, closer to home, and play a key role during the run-in as South Shields look to climb away from trouble and build momentum heading into the summer.

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