Sunderland have signed a trio of teenage academy stars to their first professional contracts. The Black Cats have confirmed that defender Zak Johnson, goalkeeper Harrison Bond, and forward Harry Gardiner have joined the club on a full-time basis, and will work predominantly with the club's Premier League 2 squad this season.
Johnson was also a regular in Sunderland's Premier League 2 side last season and, in October, he became the youngest outfielder to make a first-team appearance for the club for almost 50 years when - at 16 years and 141 days - he came off the bench to feature in the Black Cats' EFL Trophy win against Manchester United U21 at the Stadium of Light. The 17-year-old has signed a professional deal running to 2025, and said: "It feels surreal, and so special to have signed professional terms with my hometown club.
"I'm so excited to get started this season, and this has only given me more drive to keep pushing and improving."
