Sunderland are in need of Championship experience to add to their young squad.
Former Lorient boss Regis Le Bris has inherited a youthful Sunderland outfit ahead of the 2024/25 Championship campaign, which has the average age of 23.
The Frenchman has significant and crucial expertise in nurturing youth talents, as seen from his extensive stint as part of the Lorient youth coaching set up for many years.
Despite the quality of significant youth players within their ranks, including Jobe Bellingham and Jack Clarke, who are drumming up interest from Premier League sides, Championship experience will be crucial for Sunderland in order to massively improve on last season, where they clearly lacked a leader and as a result finished in a lowly 16th place.
Championship experience is clearly on Sunderland’s radar this summer, with them reportedly showing interest in Ollie Norwood following his release from Sheffield United.
Here are three additional options for Sunderland that would provide necessary Championship experience to their ranks:
Paddy McNair
The former Sunderland defender has just been released from Championship rivals Middlesbrough after they finished 8th in the 2023/24 season.
Paddy McNair provided well needed depth across many positions during his time on Teesside, being utilised at centre-back predominantly, whilst also playing at full-back and sitting in front of the defence.
McNair has tallied up 212 Championship appearances, meanwhile having a significant amount of goal contributions to his name.
Having spent two years previously at the Stadium of Light, he could no doubt be a huge asset to Le Bris as he looks to add experience to his young defence.
Cyrus Christie
The wing-back with an impressive 320 Championship appearances to his name has just been released by Championship club Hull City, who narrowly missed out on the play-offs in the 2023/24 campaign.
Cyrus Christie was often used off the bench for Hull City last season, with club captain Lewie Coyle often getting the nod ahead of the Irishman, however Christie has often played a crucial part for Championship sides Fulham and Derby County most notably.
At 33-years-old, Christie still has the ability to make a significant contribution from off the bench, and even act as a mentor to young wing-back Timothee Pembele, who will likely get more game time in the 2024/25 Championship season.
John Egan
The final player on this list is two-time Championship promotion winner John Egan, who has departed Sheffield United after the expiration of his contract.
Egan had a fruitful spell in South Yorkshire ever since he signed from Brentford ahead of the 2018/19 season.
The defender, who has 36 caps for Ireland, played a crucial role in Sheffield United’s 9th place Premier League finish in the 2019/20 season, and was continuously the first defender on the team sheet at Bramall Lane.
However, injury plagued habit with Egan in the 2023/24 Premier League season, ending his campaign just six matches into the season.
