LATEST UPDATES: Sunderland Sign Chelsea Star After Successful Trial Period
Sunderland sign former Chelsea academy player on free transfer
Sunderland have confirmed the signing of Kelechi Chibueze.
As per the club’s official website, Chibueze has arrived on a one-year contract with the option of a further season.
The goalkeeper joined Sunderland on trial last month after he was released by Leicester City in the summer.
Born in London, Chibueze began his career with Chelsea in 2020 and featured for their U18 side before he was let go three months later.
After starring for Leicester’s U21 team last season, the teenager left the Midlands and has recently been training with Graeme Murty’s side on Wearside as he looked to land a contract.
The Black Cats have been struggling in the goalkeeping department, with Jacob Carney and Harrison Bond leaving the club in the summer, while Adam Richardson remains out injured.
Sunderland were eager to bolster their options in the U21 side and have clearly been impressed with Chibueze, confirming his arrival today.
On the signing, academy manager Robin Nicholls said: “Kelechi joins our programme having had a good youth career so far. He is a former England Youth International who has been registered with two other Category 1 Academies previously.
“He displayed potential in many of the attributes that we consider important for our goalkeepers to possess, and we feel that he can add to what is already a strong group of goalkeepers within our Professional Development Phase.”
Can Kelechi Chibueze make his mark on the Sunderland team?
Sunderland have brought some brilliant goalkeepers through in recent years, with Jordan Pickford the best of the bunch.
Meanwhile, Anthony Patterson is certainly capable of following in Pickford’s footsteps after a stellar start to the campaign. Matty Young has already made his mark on Sunderland’s pre-season schedule despite only turning 17 next month, while he has also attracted interest from Man City and Manchester United.
While Nathan Bishop hasn’t had much of an opportunity to impress since joining Sunderland in the summer, there is no harm in having another youngster to compete with for the back-up spot to Patterson.
Leave a Reply