Sunderland announce contract extension for 'outstanding' young talent

Sunderland have begun their summer contract plans recently, particularly within the goalkeeping department. 

Earlier this week, reports from the Sunderland Echo revealed that veteran shot-stopper Simon Moore will be staying with the Black Cats for another year, after the club triggered the extension in his deal as he remains a pivotal figure in the dressing room.

In addition to Moore, on the other end of the age spectrum, Sunderland have now extended the contract of highly-rated young goalkeeper Matty Young, who is currently on loan at League Two side Salford City. 

Ahead of Salford’s upcoming League Two play-off final clash against Notts County, Sunderland announced that Young has penned new terms on Wearside until the summer of 2030.

Academy of Light graduate Young, who has been with Sunderland since the age of seven, has emerged as one of the club’s brightest young prospects following his rapid rise in senior football. 

In his first season in men's football, Young featured 14 times for National League North outfit Darlington, and played a pivotal role in the North East outfit surviving relegation. 

Following that, Young was sent to fourth tier side Salford for the 2024/25 season, and returned for the current campaign where he has gone from strength to strength. 

So far this term, the 19-year-old has featured 49 times in all competitions for the Ammies, with 15 clean sheets from 44 appearances in League Two. 

His exploits between the Salford sticks under Karl Robinson, who has previously likened Young to former Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, have been pivotal to their promotion push which will climax with Monday’s play-off clash against Notts County at Wembley. 

England youth international and Sunderland academy product Young is backed by many to become the Black Cats’ number one in the future, and understandably, he and Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi were elated with his extension announcement.

Reacting to his contract extension, boyhood Black Cats supporter Young told Sunderland’s media: "I am over the moon to sign this contract. It proves the last two years out on loan have been worth it.

"I am proud of the achievement, but I am still focused and determined to keep progressing.

"The loans over the last two years have really helped me grow up and define who I am as a goalkeeper – understanding my strengths, my weaknesses, and what I need to improve on every day.

"As a Sunderland supporter, being in and around this Club means everything to me. My family are Sunderland through and through, so for them to see me sign this contract is really special.”

On Young, Sunderland chief Ghisolfi explained: "We are very happy that Matty has committed his future to Sunderland because we believe we are building something important together.

"For a goalkeeper of his age to already have so much senior experience is exceptional, and his progress over the last two seasons has been outstanding.

"Our ambition is for Sunderland to be the best environment in England for goalkeepers, with a clear pathway, strong competition, and the opportunity to develop through senior football.

"For now, his focus is on the Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium, and everyone at Sunderland will be supporting him.”

Given his impressive debut campaign, Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs has been tracked by Bayern Munich this season, with Premier League rivals Chelsea also reportedly interested in the Dutchman. 

Roefs, who was recently crowned Sunderland’s Young Player of the Season, is also tied down on Wearside with a long-term deal, but he could potentially become a big-money sale under the Black Cats’ footballing model within the next few seasons.

As a result, it was imperative for Sunderland to make Young’s path to first-team contention clear.

Not only to reward the highly-rated England youth international for his impressive, consistent development, but also to future-proof the club in the goalkeeping ranks, with both parties showing a sign of faith in the other with the contract.

The likes of Everton and England hero Pickford, and last season’s first-choice Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, have graduated from the club’s academy to become the number one.

Young, who is expected to be loaned out again next season to a higher-level club than Salford, could very well follow in the footsteps of those two aforementioned Sunderland shot-stoppers.