Great Opportunity: Sunderland are considering an early contract for an academy talent who is playing above his age group.

Sunderland are ‘weighing up’ an early scholarship offer for one of their rising stars.

The Sunderland academy consistently produces quality players, with many of them progressing to the main team.

Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson are two recent examples, with both being crucial first-team players with around 300 appearances between them.

Then there’s Chris Rigg, who has established himself in the first team this season, appearing 21 times in the Championship and scoring two goals.

The Black Cats also have Tom Watson and Matty Young establishing names for themselves; Watson appears poised to make the first team next season, while Young is expected to go out on loan, with Notts County intrigued.

Sunderland considering scholarship contract for Joe Cowan
Sunderland Echo reports that the Blac Cats are ‘weighing up’ an early scholarship offer for 15-year-old goalkeeper Joe Cowan.

According to the article, Cowan, who played for the club’s U18s this season, would ‘likely advance beyond his age group once again’ the following season.

Rigg is one kid who is currently on a scholarship, with various publications predicting that the 16-year-old will sign a professional contract with Sunderland after he turns 17, in June.

Cowan could follow in the footsteps of names like Rigg, Young, and Patterson in goal, since Sunderland has produced some great goalkeepers in recent seasons.

Sunderland currently learning from the crucial transfer saga.
Sunderland evidently likes Cowan and believes he has the ability to get into the first team, given that he is already playing for the U18s.
And the Black Cats may well be taking this attitude on Cowan after seeing the new situation over Rigg unfold.

Sunderland now faces a stressful wait ahead of his 17th birthday, with some of Europe’s top clubs interested in signing the attacker, who could still be available at a low cost given his status as a scholar.

There is hope that Rigg will continue to play regular first-team football. And that may encourage players like Cowan to dedicate their futures to Sunderland.

Sunderland remains a highly appealing environment for young football players, which is a tribute to both the club and the Academy of Light.

Though there is undoubtedly a need for balance in the first team, the events of the 2023/24 season indicate a clear need for experience within the squad.

However, if Sunderland can strike that balance and continue creating young players before selling them for great money and reinvesting, the Black Cats might build a Premier League-caliber team.