Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce the arrivals of four young players to its Under-21 Development squad.
Max Thompson, Ben Crompton, Callum Wilson and Owen Robinson have all signed contracts on Wearside and will join up with the club’s U21 side for the 2022-23 season.
The quartet are all expected to travel to Canada for the team’s upcoming pre-season trip ahead of the new Premier League 2 campaign, which sees the league and its competing clubs lower the upper academy age group from Under-23 to Under-21 with immediate effect.
Thompson, 20, is a forward who arrives from Burnley for an undisclosed fee, having top scored for the Clarets in each of the last two seasons in the PL2 Division 2. He featured in 11 Premier League matchday squads for the club, and made his debut in the top flight in June 2020, against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Having signed a two-year contract, Thompson said: “It feels a long time coming to sign here, as I came close back in January. I would describe myself as a goalscorer and a direct player. I’m eager to learn from all the coaching staff and make serious progress here.”
Centre-half Crompton, 18, makes the move from Shrewsbury Town and signs a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light. He is also adept in midfield, and spent two years in Shropshire after coming through the academy setup at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Crompton said of his move: “I’m happy to be at such a massive club, and across these three years I’m fully focused on breaking into the first team. I’m a ball-playing centre-back, and I like to think I’m very vocal, commanding and have good leadership traits on and off the pitch.”
Wilson, 18, also arrives from Shrewsbury Town. The defender can operate at both centre-back and right-back, and has featured twice for the Salop first-team in the Papa John’s Trophy. His progress alerted the Northern Ireland setup, who have called him up for the nation’s Under-19 squad.
Wilson described signing his two-year deal: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to sign for such a huge club. I’m looking forward to getting fitter and stronger, learning my trade here and to keep progressing, both here and with the national side.”
Attacking midfielder Robinson, 19, arrives on a one-year contract from AFC Fylde. A gifted ball-player who can also play as a forward, the Liverpool-born teenager made six National League North appearances in 2021-22. Robinson also finished the 2020-21 campaign as top scorer for Fylde’s Under-18 side, having come through the ranks at Fleetwood Town.
Robinson spoke of his Wearside arrival: “To be here at Sunderland is different class. This is huge for myself and my family. I feel like last season, playing senior football, has stood me in good stead moving forward. I feel that given the opportunity, I can light up a game and really put a marker down – I can’t wait to get to work here.”