We are now into the final hours of the January transfer window, and Sunderland could still do a lot of business, including one youngster heading away from the club on loan.
So far in this window, Sunderland have signed Enzo Le Fee on loan and made Wilson Isidor’s stay on Wearside a permanent one.
We’ve also seen Adil Aouchiche move on loan to Portsmouth, while Aaron Connolly, Nazariy Rusyn, and youngster Zak Johnson have also departed.
Now, as we wait for more confirmed Sunderland transfers, a Black Cats academy ace is looking likely to move on temporarily.
Caden Kelly heading to Stockport County on loan
According to the transfer latest from The Sun, we can expect to see Caden Kelly complete a loan move to Stockport County before the deadline closes on Monday night.
Alan Nixon corroborates this story on his Patreon, with the suggestion that Kelly is “ready to step up” to League One, after impressing in the first half of the campaign at National League North level with Darlington.
The Sunderland academy graduate made 16 appearances on loan there, scoring three goals and registering one assist, getting over 1,000 minutes under his belt.
The switch to Stockport is expected to be completed before the transfer window closes, with Kelly set to turn out for the League One high-flyers until the end of the season.
This is a huge opportunity for Kelly, he has to make the most of it
Stockport are currently sitting in fourth place in the League One table, with 50 points from 29 games. They are five points behind third-placed Wrexham, but have a six-point cushion over Leyton Orient in seventh place.
It would seem Stockport are well-placed to finish in the play-offs, fresh off the back of winning the League Two title last season. With this in mind, it will be fascinating to see how Kelly fits into Dave Challinor’s squad.
He will have to fight for his place, of course, but it’s hoped he can establish himself there and really make a name for himself. If he does, who knows what the future holds for the 21-year-old and his place in the Sunderland squad moving forward?
Regis Le Bris will surely be watching closely as he looks for the next talented youngster to make the rise through the ranks on Wearside, and Kelly will be desperate to prove he is ready for this massive step up in quality.