Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman believes Dan Neil is a great representation for young academy hopefuls after signing a new deal with the Black Cats. The 21-year-old midfielder has extended his stay at the club until the summer of 2026, having attracted interest from a number of Premier League teams.
Neil enjoyed a stellar breakthrough campaign last season and caught the eye during Sunderland's impressive Carabao Cup run which culminated in defeat to Arsenal. The Black Cats youngster has made just shy of 100 appearances at such a young age and is being touted as a star for the future, destined for the Premier League.
During his time with the club, Neil has taken home the personal accolades of North East Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year award in March 2022, EFL Young Player of the Month in December 2021 and has earned England recognition at Under-20 level.
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Speakman said: “Dan’s progression has been impressive and he’s an integral part of our team. It’s fantastic to see players flourish from our academy programme and Dan is a great representation of what young players can achieve here.
"He is an exceptionally talented midfielder who’s only getting better and naturally this doesn’t go unnoticed. He is immensely passionate about Sunderland and he understands and believes in what we are building, so all at SAFC are delighted that he has reaffirmed his commitment to the Club.”
Tony Mowbray has also spoke highly of the young midfielder, stating he was destined for the top flight. The Black Cats boss previously told reporters: "I genuinely think that Dan Neil is on a journey that will take him to the Premier League, and hopefully with this club.
"If it's not this club, and we can't get there fast enough, I think the Premier League will phone up about him. He's an amazing human being who wants to be a footballer and who listens to everything you tell him and wants to get better.
"He sits and watches his clips, what he did well and what he didn't do well. He's a kid on a journey really, and it is going to be tough to stop him.
"My job, our job as coaching staff, is to help him and make him understand that he has to have both aspects to his game. The best midfielders in my mind are the ones who can do both - they have some steel and also look silky when they have the ball and pick lovely passes, but then when the ball breaks they can smash in a tackle and come out with the ball.
"Dan is learning those aspects, he's still a very young man and somewhere down the line he will become a really good footballer."
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