Sunderland’s academy is set to bring through some more serious talent in 2025.
The Black Cats’ academy has been incredible in recent years, generating some top players who now don the famous red and white shirt week in and week out.
A prime example is the man leading Sunderland out as team captain, Dan Neil, who has really developed in his new ‘number six’ role, something that he wasn’t quite as comfortable with at the start of the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
Elsewhere in the centre of the park, Chris Rigg has shone after being handed first-team responsibilities, whilst Tommy Watson also provided an impeccable impact down the left flank before his untimely injury.
The youth quality at the club by no means stops there, with plenty of talents waiting for their opportunity with the first team in the Championship. Here are three in particular who could feature for the Black Cats in 2025.
Harrison Jones
Sunderland-born 19-year-old Harrison Jones has been around the first team at times, having notched 20 minutes of game time in the EFL Cup at the start of the 2024/25 campaign against Preston North End.
However, he is still yet to taste his first minutes of league action, and it is clear that he isn’t far away from that milestone when looking at his record at youth level.
Jones has notched one goal and four assists in the Premier League 2 this season with the U21s, which is following a seven-goal run in 19 games last campaign in the same competition.
Elias Lenz
Another option that Regis Le Bris could potentially turn towards in the 2024/25 Championship season is German defensive midfielder Elias Lenz, who may be utilised due to the slight lack of depth in the holding position.
The 19-year-old was signed this summer from German side RB Leipzig, and with his experience in the UEFA Youth League, having previously notched 14 apps in the competition, there is no doubt that he could have an impact at some point in the coming year.
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Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi
The youngest, yet also the most likely to notch an appearance for the first team in the league in 2025 is Belgian forward Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi.
The striker has been in relentless goalscoring form in the 2024/25 campaign, managing five goals in as many appearances in the Premier League 2, whilst also playing for the Belgian U19 side.
The 18-year-old has also been named on the Sunderland bench on three occasions in the Championship this season, so it is clear that he is on Le Bris’ radar.