Diamond is up for the challenge after making Harrogate return
Sunderland forward Jack Diamond felt leaving on loan in search of regular football was the best option for him in terms of his development.
DiamondhasjoinedHarrogate Town, the club where he helped win promotion from the National League, until the end of the current campaign.
Thetalentedwingersigned a three-year deal earlier this yeartosecurehislong-termfutureonWearside,buttheBlack Cats want to ensure his game time is not limited this season.
Sunderland concluded a deal for Bayern Munich winger Leon Dajaku on deadline day, which would have seen Diamond’s chances of regular gametime at the Stadium of Light reduced.
A move to League Two Harrogateappealedasitwasanopportunity for regular football, with strong interest from elsewhereintheEFLinDiamondin the summer transfer window.
Speaking to the Harrogate Town website, Diamond said: “It feels great to be back. It’s been nice to see some familiar faces and be back in a good place.
"The move presents a good challenge for myself knowing I’ve already done a lot here and I suppose I finished on quite a high. To come back it could be seen as a bit comfortable but I think it’s more of a challenge than anything knowing that I havetoreplicatewhatI’vedone previously.
"It was a factor in making my decision [knowing a large amount of the squad before
signing] but the main thing is the football. It’s good to have friends here already but at the end of the day everyone has ambitions of making it in the game.”
Thiswillbethesecondloan spellatHarrogatefortheyoung forward.
He added: “I grew up a lot as a player. There were ups and downs and then finding consistency which was especially key for a player like me.
"I think all the lads helped mesomuchwithbitsofadvice.
"There’s no time in football tostaystill,you’vegottoalways keep improving yourself and cominghereonloan,Ithinkit’s one of the best things to do,” he added.
DoncasterRoversandSunderlandfailedwithanappealto force through Aiden O’Brien’s deadlinedaymovetotheKeepmoat Stadium.
The two clubs agreed a deal over the striker and it was fully expected to be finalised. However, a paperwork error on Wearside meant the transfer could not be completed, despite both teams lodging an appeal.