Sunderland are ‘weighing up’ an early scholarship deal for one of their emerging talents.
The Sunderland academy is making a habit of producing quality players, with a lot of them going on to play for the first-team.
Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson are two recent examples, with both now key first-team players and boasting almost 300 appearances between them.
Then there’s Chris Rigg who’s managed to establish himself in the first-team this season, featuring 21 times in the Championship and scoring two goals.
The Black Cats also have the likes of Tom Watson and Matty Young making a name for themselves; Watson looks set for a place in the first-team next season whilst Young is being tipped to head out on loan, with Notts County interested.
Sunderland eyeing scholarship deal for Joe Cowan
Now, Sunderland Echo are reporting that the Blac Cats are ‘weighing up’ an early scholarship deal for 15-year-old goalkeeper Joe Cowan.
The report states that Cowan, who played for the club’s U18s this season, will ‘likely move beyond his age group once again’ next season.
Rigg is one player who’s currently on a scholarship deal, with numerous reports backing the 16-year-old to sign pro terms with Sunderland once he turns 17 in June.
Cowan could yet follow in the footsteps of names like Rigg, and Young and Patterson in goal, with Sunderland producing some talented goalkeepers in recent seasons.
Sunderland now learning from key transfer saga
Sunderland are clearly fond of Cowan and think he has potential to eventually step up into the first-team, given the fact that he’s already playing U18s football.
And the Black Cats may well be taking this stance on Cowan after seeing the latest saga around Rigg unfold.
Sunderland now face a very nervous wait ahead of his 17th birthday with some of Europe’s top clubs wanting to sign the attacker, who could yet come fairly cheap given the fact that he remains a scholar.
There’s hope that Rigg stays in a bid to play regular first-team football. And that may be an indication to players like Cowan to also commit their futures to Sunderland.
Sunderland remains a very attractive place for youngsters to play their football and it’s a credit to the club and the Academy of Light.
Though there’s definitely a need for balance in the first-team with the events of the 2023/24 season highlighting a distinct need for experience within the side.
But if Sunderland can strike that balance, and continue producing youngsters and eventually selling them on for big money, then reinvesting, the Black Cats could build a team worthy of Premier League football.