Sunderland handed double transfer blow with first-team duo set for shock departure

Sunderland have been handed a double blow with first-team stars Neve Herron and Emma Kelly set to depart the club this summer.

The Echo understands that Kelly, 26, will join Newcastle United after the club announced it was to go full-time under the stewardship of Becky Langley. Sunderland Women are not yet operating on a wholly full-time basis.

Newcastle United's move to full-time follows the team's promotion to the National League Northern Premier Division – the third tier of the national women's pyramid with the Magpies winning the Division One North title last season on a semi-professional basis last campaign. Sunderland are currently in the Championship.

Kelly will join former Sunderland players Charlotte Potts, Katie Barker, Georgia Gibson and Olivia Watt as the Tynesiders look to make their mark. Sources have also told The Echo that former Black Cats striker Bridget Galloway, 23, will make the move to join the Magpies this summer too.

Galloway became a free agent earlier this week after her release from Durham WFC alongside ex-Sunderland teammate Maria Farrugia, as well as Rio Hardy and Hannah Greenwood. Durham also operates on a full-time basis in contrast to the Black Cats' hybrid model.

It is also understood that 20-year-old Neve Herron has left Sunderland this summer in what will be another serious blow to head coach Mel Reay, though she was likely offered a full-time deal.

Herron's next move is not currently known but it is believed that the England youth international will move to a club higher up the food chain.