Sunderland AFC have confirmed the new intake of scholars for the Professional Development Phase ahead of the 2024-25 season.
The Lads join the Club ahead of the new season. Ready to compete in the Under-18 Premier League.
Ivan Struk
Ivan joined the club towards the start of 2023-24, initially on trial and then via a pre-registration agreement with Chelsea.
A combative midfielder who is just as adept on the ball, he had represented both our U16 & U18 teams before an injury brought an early end to his season.
Marcus Neill
Marcus Neill joins from Liverpool, where he was an Academy player for several seasons - an exciting forward with excellent goal-scoring ability.
The frontman represented our U16 and U18 teams this season since his pre-registration from Liverpool and has also received international recognition as an Australian youth international.
Joe Nield
Joe Nield has been part of the Academy since he was 9 and has consistently shown a high level of performance and potential during this time.
Nield is a versatile player who can operate in a number of different positions.
Joe has made 14 appearances for the U18s in the U18 Premier League and contributed three goals during this time; he also featured in the FA Youth Cup at the Stadium of Light.
Liam Hunt
Liam Hunt is another player who has impressed enough to be regularly included in the U18 team, making 14 appearances, and scoring one goal.
Liam is a central midfielder who is comfortable on the ball and displays the in-possession attributes that we look for in an SAFC midfielder.
Bayley Hester
Bayley Hester joined on a pre-registration agreement from Southampton in January, having been with the Saints since the start of his Academy journey.
Bayley represented England during his U15 season and is capable of operating at full-back or on the wing.
Felix Scott
Felix Scott is an attacking forward who can play wide or centrally and is at his best with the ball at his feet. He is inventive in possession and can threaten the opponents through running with the ball or distributing to teammates.
Felix has been with the Academy since the Pre-Academy and has shown the potential to develop further as a Scholar.
Charlie Dinsdale
Charlie Dinsdale signs his scholarship with the club after first joining the Academy as an 11-year-old.
Charlie is an exciting attacking midfielder who can play as a wide forward but operates most comfortably as a central attacking midfielder.
Finlay Holcroft
Finlay Holcroft signs his new deal following an impressive 2023-24 campaign. The highlight of his season was starting in the U18 FA Youth Cup win against Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light.
Along with this, Fin has also represented the U18 team on a further 11 occasions in the U18 Premier League. Fin is a central defender with strong defensive instincts and a capable distributor on the ball.
Finn Geragusian
Finn joined the Academy a little later in the journey as a Youth Development Phase player and has shown a unique ability during this period.
He couples an athletic profile with a dominant left foot, and this allows him to be a threat to opposition.
The highlight of his season was scoring in the FAYC win versus Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light after being introduced as a substitute. He also completed 14 league appearances for the U18s, contributing two goals and two assists in these games.
George Bell
Joining the club in the Youth Development Phase as a 13-year-old, George Bell has progressed well in a short period of time.
He has recently transitioned to the full-back position after displaying some key attributes to be successful here in the SAFC system and is an all-action defender.
Archie Lightfoot
This season, Archie made impressive developments in his game and has impressed staff with his ability both in and out of possession.
He achieved double figures in terms of appearances for the U18 team and put together a string of performance towards the end of the season that displayed both his current performance level and future potential.