Jack Whittaker has impressed for Sunderland’s academy and been involved with the first-team squad

Sunderland are in talks with highly-rated academy forward Jack Whittaker over a new deal, The Echo understands.

Whittaker joined Sunderland at the age of 10 after developing at Wallsend Boys Club and signed his first professional contract with the Black Cats last summer. That deal has another year left to run, but both club and player are now locked in discussions over fresh terms.

The forward has been one of Sunderland’s standout academy performers this season, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists in 29 appearances across all competitions. That return includes four goals in Premier League 2 and five in the Premier League Cup. Whittaker has also played an important role in Sunderland U21s’ impressive run to the Premier League Cup final, with the young Black Cats set to face Burnley at the Stadium of Light later this month.

His progress has also been recognised at first-team level under Régis Le Bris. Whittaker was named on the bench for Sunderland’s Premier League fixture against Brighton at the Stadium of Light, while he was also included among the substitutes for FA Cup ties away to Port Vale and Oxford United. That involvement reflects the regard in which he is held at the Academy of Light, with Sunderland continuing to monitor the pathway between the under-21s team and the senior squad.

Sunderland have placed significant emphasis on academy development in recent years, with the club keen to retain their best young players while also ensuring a realistic route towards senior football. Whittaker is regarded as one of the more promising players within the club’s youth set-up.

Jack Whittaker’s remarkable performance in PL Cup semi-final

Whittaker admitted it felt “unbelievable” after firing Sunderland U21s into the Premier League Cup final last month - capping a rapid rise that has already seen him step into the first-team environment this season. The forward struck twice as Graeme Murty’s side beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 at the Stadium of Light, booking a place in the final against Burnley and underlining his growing influence within the academy set-up.

"It's unbelievable, I think, especially with a slow start to the season, getting through to the final is a really special achievement," he said after the game. “I'm happy for the lads because it's a new group, a kind of transition from an older group to a younger group towards the end of the season. I'm really happy.

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"I think my development over the last few weeks has been good; I'm really happy with it," Whittaker explained after being asked about his recent call-up to Sunderland’s first team under senior head coach Le Bris. "I think going with the first team to help me increase my speed of play, be more effective with what I'm doing, and I think that showed tonight with the two goals. It's exactly what I wanted to do before the game," he said. "Playing an advanced role, I want to go and score goals, and doing it at the stadium is a great feeling, hearing the fans in the stadium as well."

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