Sunderland have taken Gideon Granstrom on trial.
That’s according to FotbollSTHLM, who have reported that the midfielder has linked up with the Sunderland U-21 side after impressing for Sweden’s U-18s this summer.
Granstrom currently plays in his home country for Djurgarden, where he mainly stars for the youth sides but has also made the bench for the senior team twice. The 17-year-old also featured for the first team during their pre-season preparations before joining the Black Cats on trial.
Speaking to FotbollSTHLM, Granstrom’s father and agent, Robert, said: “He went there earlier this week and is doing his first training session today. He stays about ten days in total. They will be on this tour for a week, starting in Norwich, then finishing with three days in Sunderland.
“From our side, we focus on the sporting aspect, it is instructive to come there and meet a different football culture and a different way of playing. Then it is a blank slate what happens after that.
“We have had a dialogue with Djurgården the whole time, who understand the whole thing. But a club like Sunderland does not invite a player unless there is a concrete interest.
Gideon Granstrom is on a long list of young players Sunderland have been linked with
Sunderland began the summer transfer window very strongly when they signed Jenson Seelt, Jobe Bellingham, Nectarios Triantis and Luis Semedo.
With all four players all being 20 years old or younger, it is slightly concerning that the Black Cats continue to be linked with so many more youth players.
The Championship club have done a brilliant job at building such a strong squad for the future and the youngsters all did very well last season, but they also need to focus on winning promotion next season and taking a look at the more experienced players available would be very handy.