What happened to Sunderland’s lost generation of young stars?
Sunderland are finally starting to get their Academy of Light set-up back on track.
But since dropping into League One four seasons ago, several talented youngsters have been poached by clubs higherupthefootballpyramid.
Here, we take a look at the Black Cats’ lost ‘golden generation’ – and what the starlets that have departed Wearside are up to now…
Bali Mumba - Norwich City
The former Sunderland youth teamer appeared sporadically for Norwich last season, but still managed to play his part as the Canaries were promoted to the Premier League.
Indeed, the 19-year-old has just been rewarded for his progresswithanewlong-term deal at the club.
As it stands, he is expected to remain with the senior squad this coming season, adding cover and competition for established full-backs Max AaronsandDimitrisGiannoulis.
Sam Greenwood - Leeds United
The 19-year-old attacker departed Sunderland back in 2018, moving to Premier League giants Arsenal for a reported £500,000 fee.
However, the move to London didn’t suit Greenwood, who opted to move back up north to Leeds in a deal said to be worth £1.5million
The Whites are now a topflight club, with Greenwood excelling in the under-23 team and making his first-team debut in the FA Cup.
Aloanmovecouldbeonthe cards as the youngster pushes for regular gametime to aid his development.
Joe Hugill - Manchester United
In the summer of 2020, Manchester United fought off competitionfromArsenal,TottenhamHotspur,LeedsUnited and Wolves to sign Joe Hugill from Sunderland.
The transfer was said to have cost around £300,000.
Since then, the 17-year-old striker has made a big impression and often plays ahead of his age group, regularly appearing for Manchester United’s under-23s and England’s youth teams.
Indeed, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has heaped praise upon the youngster and it might not be too long until Hugill is seen in and around the first team.
Francis Okoronkwo Everton?
Hot prospect Francis Okoronkwo looks set to be the next Sunderland youngster to leave the club amid reports Everton are poised to sign him in a deal worth up to £1million.
Reports suggest that the deal is subject to Premier League ratification.
The youngster, who was invited to an AC Milan training camp five years ago, has long been earmarked as a potential star by academy chiefs at Sunderland.
Luca Stephenson – Liverpool
After swapping Wearside for Merseyside, Luca Stephenson has since signed his firstprofessionalcontractwith Liverpool.
Theversatileattackingmidfielder joined the Reds back in 2018 for a fee in the region of £500,000.
The 17-year-old has made hisdebutforLiverpool’sunder18s during the 2019-20 season and has cemented himself as a regular in the youth ranks.
Logan Pye – Manchester United
The 17-year-old left-back is an England youth international but saw his season cut short by injury. Pye played 10 league games for United’s under-18 side,thefinaloneofthesecoming at the end of January.