Matty Young is dreaming to be ‘the best of the best’ following an unwavering Sunderland journey that continued to blossom over the last 10 years.
The 16-year-old, who has put pen to paper on a new scholarship deal, made his first team debut during pre-season and trained alongside Anthony Patterson and Nathan Bishop in recent months.
“From signing at Sunderland at the age of seven, this has been a dream come true. I know the hard work has only just begun but I am loving the journey.”
Young has been a stalwart for the Under-21s this season after making his Premier League 2 debut against Norwich City, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory and explains the step-up has made him more competitively aware.
He continued: “When you start playing within the PL2 division and being in and around the first team squad, you learn and adapt, every point matters a little bit more, you are now playing for something, and it has been a step up I am really enjoying.”
Since the age of 7, Young’s goalkeeping journey has been overseen by Mark Prudhoe and more recently, Head of Goalkeeping, Alessandro Barcherini with Patterson and Bishop mentoring the 16-year-old.
“The input from all the coaches and the two lads has been unbelievable. Just being round the first team has done so much for me. It is a different environment and training and playing in America during pre-season was such a great step in my development.” he added.
The first team debut came during the pre-season tour in America. A collection of fine saves during the 3-2 win over New Mexico United and Young is now ‘thriving for more.’
“I will remember that for the rest of my life. It has made me hungry for more and it was a very proud moment for me and my family. I have gone from finishing school with my mates to playing for Sunderland, my mates think it is surreal and are always asking me about the different players.
“When we played West Brom U21 on the Friday night, I was delighted to keep a clean sheet and then after the game, I was being told I am in the matchday squad for the first team playing Coventry, it was a quick shower and a drive over to the team hotel to join the lads. One moment you’re playing out a 0-0 in front of a few hundred to then being a part of a squad to take on a packed-out crowd in the Championship. I’ll never forget it.”