Sunderland have added a quartet of youngsters to the club's U21 development squad ahead of the new Premier League 2 campaign. The Black Cats have had to reshape their squad given a change in the rules for the forthcoming season, which has seen Premier League 2 move from an U23 to an U21 competition.
And as part of that the club has recruited Max Thompson, Ben Crompton, Callum Wilson and Owen Robinson, to strengthen their squad. Forward Thompson, 20, has joined from Burnley on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee, having been the Clarets' top scorer in each of the last two seasons in Premier League 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. Thompson said: "It feels a long time coming to sign here, as I came close back in January.
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"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, has joined from League One Shrewsbury Town on a three-year deal, having spent two years with the Shrews after coming through Wolverhampton Wanderers' academy system. He said: "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 has also arrived from Shrewsbury, in his case signing a two-year contract. The 18-year-old can operate at both centre-back and right-back, has featured twice for the Shrews' first-team in the EFL Trophy, and has been part of the Northern Ireland U19 setup.
He said: "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, has arrived on a one-year contract from AFC Fylde. He made six National League North appearances last season, having finished the previous season as top scorer for Fylde's Under-18 side.
Robinson, who came through the ranks at Fleetwood Town, said: "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."
The new arrivals are all expected to travel to Canada for the U21s' forthcoming pre-season trip ahead of the new Premier League 2 campaign.
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