I love Sunderland and want to earn my first-team chance after Salford loan move

After extending his Sunderland contract through to 2028, goalkeeper Matty Young declared “I love this club". Currently on loan in League Two at Salford City, the teenage stopper has extended his time on Wearside and is thrilled to have put pen to paper.

Young joined the Black Cats aged seven and after progressing through the Academy of Light ranks, he made his first-team debut last pre-season against New Mexico United while training alongside Anthony Patterson.

The 18-year-old also spent three months on loan at Darlington last campaign, featuring on 14 occasions and keeping five clean sheets in the National League North.

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Young has lined up on five occasions for Salford this term and the goalkeeper also made his England U20 debut earlier this month. It is a valuable experience for a youngster who looks to have a bright future.

He said: “Signing this deal until 2028 means so much to me because I love this club. I have been here for more than a decade and I am delighted to extend my stay. Last year, I had my first experience of travelling and training with the first team, which was a huge milestone.

"Since then, I’ve gained valuable experience on loan at Darlington and now at Salford City. It’s been a really good year of learning and developing. I am enjoying my time, I was really pleased to be called up to the England U20s.

“These experiences both on and off the pitch are only positive. My focus is on continuing to work hard, and I hope that one day I’ll get my chance to play for Sunderland. That’s my end goal, to play for Sunderland. I know I need to continue the hard work but I am excited to see what the future holds.”

The club’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman added: “We’re pleased with Matty’s progress at present and thrilled that he has extended his contract through to 2028.

“His recent England U20 debut at 17 years of age provides a nice reference point of where he is currently and through continued hard work and dedication, he can go on to achieve much more.”

Meanwhile, Dan Ballard and Trai Hume have been nominated for the EE Northern Ireland Men’s Senior Player of the Year award for 2024.

The duo were two of their country’s most consistent performers, as they secured promotion to Group B of the UEFA Nations League. Hume was an ever-present and featured nine times, as well as captaining Northern Ireland against Luxembourg and Bulgaria.

Ballard received seven caps in 2024 and added three goals to his tally, including a memorable header against Spain in Mallorca.