Sunderland confirmed the departure of another 18 year old outstanding young star with 21 goals in 49 appearances.
Sunderland allow academy defender to join National League Hartlepool United on loan
Zak Johnson has joined Hartlepool United on a month-long deal
Sunderland’s teenage defender Zak Johnson has joined National League Hartlepool United on loan. The 18-year-old signed a new three-year contract with the Black Cats earlier this month, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2026, and he has now been allowed to join Pools on a one-month deal to gain first-team experience.
Under the loan agreement, Johnson will still be eligible to play for Sunderland’s U21 side in its Premier League 2 campaign. Sunderland academy manager Robin Nicholls said: “This move provides Zak with an excellent opportunity to further his development.
“It has been a really positive few seasons for him and he can use that momentum to take to Hartlepool. The National League is an excellent standard of football and Zak now has the challenge of working his way into a side sitting towards the top of the division.
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“We look forward to monitoring his progress.”
Johnson made his senior debut for Sunderland at the age of 16 as a substitute in the EFL Trophy win against Manchester United U21s at the Stadium of Light in October 2021 while he was still a first-year scholar, and he made his first senior start this season in the Carabao Cup first round tie against Crewe Alexandra – which the Black Cats drew 1-1 before being knocked out on penalties – on Wearside. He was included on the bench for the Black Cats in last season’s Championship win at Birmingham City but was an unused sub.
He has been a regular for Sunderland’s U21 team this season and for the previous two campaigns.
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