Sunderland youngster Adam Richardson has insisted there was “no doubt” he would sign professional terms on Wearside. Two years ago, the Black Cats staved off interest from Premier League clubs to retain the then 16-year-old goalkeeper.
Richardson first joined Sunderland as an eight-year-old and featured regularly for the U18 set up last season. Fast forward to the present and Alex Neil has taken two inexperienced shot-stoppers to the Black Fats’ pre-season tour of Portugal.
Fellow rookie Jacob Carney has also joined up with Richardson in the Algarve ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. In truth, number one goalkeeper Anthony Patterson is another who lacks first-team experience, having emerged from the youth ranks at the back end of the campaign.
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Richardson revealed he can look no further than Patterson for inspiration as well as England number one Jordan Pickford. The 18-year-old candidly stated he always felt confident about making the first team.
Speaking to the media in Portugal, Richardson said: “There was no doubt for me, none. I've grown up around here, been here since I was eight and I've seen that pathway, so many lads that have pushed on to the first team.
“Obviously having Patta (Patterson) there now just underlines that and shows me the chances are there. I was really young when Pickford broke through but there's never been a shortage of people for me to look up to!”
The young goalkeeper is also relishing his first pre-season trip away with the first team and the benefits that come with it. A special mention was given to Mark Prudhoe, the ex-Sunderland goalkeeper who has coached at the academy since 2011.
“It's been such a good experience for me, being around senior players and the senior environment as well,” Richardson added. “It's something for me to learn from. It's my first time really so I've been able to see how experienced professionals go about it in the main team.
“Then being able to spend this time with the goalkeepers as well, learning off them. It's a nice balance because I'm taking a lot in but obviously I've been working with Pruds (Mark Prudhoe) since I was eight, so he knows me and I know him and how he works.
“It's still been a really new experience but I feel like there's been that transition there, as well, and that's helped. There's a lot for me to take into my season with the U23s, which is great. First and foremost I've just got to try and get that consistency and game time in the U23s this season and take it from there.”
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