Kiernan to leave Cats’ academy as Boro swoop
Promising forward Cole Kiernan has become the latest player to leave Sunderland’s academy.
The 18-year-old scholar has been snapped up by local rivals Middlesbrough, who have signed him to professional terms. Kiernan scored five goalsfromSunderland’sstruggling U18 side last season, and also made his senior debut in the 3-2 EFL Trophy win over Grimsby Town in October.
Boro’s Head of Academy, Craig Liddle, said that the club had been tracking Kiernan for a number of years and are ‘delighted’ to have signed him.
“Cole was a player we wanted to sign a few years ago, and we’re delighted to be able to bring him to the club now,” Liddle said.
“We’ve been following his progress and his development at Sunderland, and when the opportunitycameabouttosign him on a professional contract we were keen to do so.
“Cole joins a number of our other young players who have progressedthroughourAcademyinsigningprocontractsthis summer,andwe’relookingforward to working with them all when the new season starts.”
Sunderland’s academy managerPaulReidlefttheclub earlierthisweek,withSunderland supporters left hugely concerned about its category one status after a raft of departures since Madrox’s takeover of the club.
A number of talented players have opted to leave the club before signing professional terms, while the ownership have also opted to sanction the sale of Bali Mumba to Norwich City. Chief executive Jim Rodwell said that the club are committedtomaintainingCategoryOnestatus,andthatakey part of the remit for Reid’s replacementwouldbetostopthe drain of talent.