A Champions League side have sent a bid for a Sunderland and England U17 talent.
Sunderland’s Academy of Light continues to create brilliant talents that have served at all levels in the English football pyramid.
The likes of Dan Neil and Chris Rigg in the centre-of-the-park for Sunderland epitomise the club as a whole, showing two younger and determined midfielders tying down a spot in the Black Cats’ side.
Nurturing young talent has also been a priority over the last couple years, as there would be very few sides that would take a chance on a midfielder who was only 16-years-old in Rigg, who despite Premier League interest, opted to sign a deal to continue his development at the Stadium of Light.
However, one young prospect that seemingly got away will finally look to move on after a lengthy and uncertain period over the youngsters future.
Aston Villa send ‘formal bid’ for Sunderland striker Mason Cotcher
Sunderland are set to finally see Mason Cotcher leave the Academy of Light following the striker turning down a deal at the club at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Per Fabrizio Romano on X, Aston Villa ‘have sent a formal bid’ for Cotcher, who is already on trial with the Champions League side and is ‘impressing with his performances’.
Cotcher left the Academy of Light at the conclusion of the 2022/23 campaign, with the youngster enduring several trial periods with Premier League clubs in that period.
The Black Cats will still be required to receive a fee for the player, despite him being a free agent, as a result of a training compensation or transfer fee needed for Aston Villa to attain his services.Sunderland’s Academy of Light still remains one of the club’s biggest assets
Despite the likely departure of Cotcher, Sunderland’s academy still remains head & shoulders above many in the Championship, and even the Premier League.
There are many waiting in the wings for their opportunity, including the likes of goalkeeper Matthew Young, who will play in-between the sticks for Salford this season, despite just being 17-years-old.
The Sunderland U21 side also reached the Premier League 2 final in the 2023/24 season, but were unfortunately undone at the last hurdle.
Despite some sides having the obvious draw of current Premier League prestige, Sunderland continue to be one of the best clubs nurturing and bringing young talents up to speed and getting the best out of them.
The Black Cats will certainly have another striker in the academy that will grow into senior football in the near future, and there really aren’t many clubs at this level who can confidently rely on their youngsters like Sunderland are able to.
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