Sunderland offer contract to midfielder, Black Cats expect done deal
Sunderland have enjoyed a largely successful Championship campaign and are now vying for a place in next season’s Premier League.
The Black Cats face the first leg of their playoff semi-final with Coventry on Friday 9 May, before hosting the Sky Blues at the Stadium of Light for the second leg on 13 May.
Regis Le Bris’ side have entered the playoffs in poor form, though, after losing each of their last five Championship games.
But the Mackems have deservedly finished fourth in the second-tier table, having performed well for large parts of the season.
Sunderland offer fresh contract to academy star
The North East giants will be desperate to reach the Championship playoff final for the first time since winning promotion from League One in 2022.
| Opponent | Result |
| Blackburn (H) | 0-1 L |
| Oxford (A) | 2-0 L |
| QPR (H) | 0-1 L |
Meanwhile, according to the Sunderland Echo, Le Bris’ men have offered a new contract to academy prospect Jaydon Jones, which he is expected to sign.
The midfielder was named as Sunderland’s Under-18 Player of the Season, and was promoted to the Mackems’ Under-21 squad.
The teenager is the younger brother of Harrison Jones, who captains Graeme Murty’s Sunderland Under-21s.
Jones can continue Sunderland’s proud history of developing homegrown talent
The fact that the Mackems have offered Jones a new contract indicates that the Stadium of Light club believe he can have a bright future in the North East.
Over the years, the Black Cats have developed several homegrown talents who have gone on to achieve success both with Sunderland and beyond.
Perhaps the most prominent example of the Academy of Light’s success in recent years is that of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who rose through the ranks with the Mackems before going on to shine for Everton and represent England in two European Championship finals.
Sunderland’s current shot-stopper, Anthony Patterson, also rose through the Black Cats’ youth ranks before successfully performing at senior level in both League One and the Championship.
Meanwhile, one of Le Bris’ best players this term has been Chris Rigg, who is a fellow academy graduate and is still just 17 years old.
Jones has several positive examples to follow if he goes on to become a senior player for Sunderland.