Sunderland academy graduate Anthony Patterson has defied all expectation in the last 12 months. It was in January last year he returned from a second loan spell with National League side Notts County, establishing himself as the main man between the sticks and he hasn't looked back.
The young goalkeeper originally joined the Magpies in September 2021 on a month long loan following Ron Thorben Hoffmann's arrival at the Stadium of Light. Patterson was highly though of by then Sunderland boss Lee Johnson, having been given his debut in the Papa John's Trophy the year prior by Phil Parkinson.
Patterson would re-join Ian Burchnall's promotion chasing side at the beginning of January, going on to establish himself as number one, clocking up nine appearances in total for County. Very few would have predicted the remarkable rise of the youngster.
