Sunderland defender Trai Hume has enjoyed a remarkable rise from unknown entity to Championship star since his arrival in 2022.
Sunderland currently sit fourth in the Championship, firmly cemented in the play-off places, as Regis Le Bris’ side prepare to face Alex Neil’s Millwall on Saturday.
The Black Cats have enjoyed a stellar season thus far, even leading the league for a number of weeks under the guidance of head coach Le Bris, yet have drifted into the top-six pack as Sunderland’s play-off fate seems inevitable.
An imperative player for Le Bris this season has been full-back Trai Hume, who has been one of Sunderland’s most consistently impressive players this term, featuring in all but one of the Black Cats’ Championship fixtures.
Hume’s journey from rising the ranks at boyhood club Ballymena to becoming Northern Ireland skipper and first-team Sunderland regular has been remarkable, but the full-back is still hungry for more.
Sunderland star Trai Hume aiming to reach the Premier League
The 23-year-old has been one of many standouts for Sunderland this season, affecting every game positively in defence and attack, with his tough-tackling trademark adored by the Wearside faithful in many of Hume’s man-of-the-match displays.
| Key statistic | Trai Hume for Sunderland so far in 2024-25 Championship season |
| Games played | 37 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 6 |
| Chances created | 54 |
| Tackles won | 62 |
| Aerial duels won | 80 |
| Yellow cards | 10 |
During the latest international break, the now 20-capped Northern Ireland star featured in the 1-1 draw against Switzerland before Hume was withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad due to an injury concern, and Hume was hailed for his ‘captain’s display. However, full-back Hume should be involved against Millwall on Saturday in an imperative boost for Le Bris.
Hume told SAFC.com this week when reflecting on his journey: “It’s been a whirlwind really, getting the move across at 19 years of age, and basically taking it in my stride and being able to do what I’ve done now, playing every week for Sunderland, captaining my country is just a dream come true. Hopefully I’ll keep doing it and try to reach the highest level possible.”
Trai Hume’s former coach believes Sunderland full-back can go further
Hume has been scouted by Premier League clubs such as Fulham this season after his stellar season, and reports indicate that Sunderland have slapped a £20milllion price tag on the former Linfield man’s name.
Considering Sunderland plucked Hume from footballing obscurity for only £150,000 back in 2022 – and he has now gone on to make 122 appearances for the Black Cats – a fee such as £20million would constitute impressive business for Sunderland.
Stanley Galbraith, of Hume’s former Ballymena United academy, added: “The levels of football where he’s playing at, at the top of the Championship, international football, I take huge pride in that. Not just for myself, but for his family, the local club, the local town, he’s done really well… still can go a bit further!”
The versatile full-back is certainly Premier League material, and as transfer expert Graeme Bailey has previously told Sunderland AFC News, the club will have a battle to keep hold of Hume if they aren’t promoted to the Premier League this season.