Dan Neil: 'No better place to be than Sunderland for young players'
Sunderland is the best club in the country for young players to join right now, says homegrown midfielder Dan Neil.
Neil is closing in on 100 senior appearances for Sunderland despite being just 21-years old. That reflects the trust and opportunities given to younger players with the Black Cats squad the youngest in the whole Championship.
As a comparison, January recruit Pierre Ekwah, who partnered Neil in central midfield at Burnley, was making his very first senior start despite being just two months younger.
Neil has committed his future to Sunderland by signing a new long-term contract last month, and for him it was a very easy decision.
"One hundred percent, that's the goal,” Neil said when asked if the priority is to play Premier League football for Sunderland.
“I think there's no better place to be in England than Sunderland at the minute if you're a young player.
"They trust in young lads to play. I've got a lot of appearances under my belt and that's what I've got at this age.
"By signing this contract I think I'm going to get more, and there are young players coming in fighting for positions and it's just a really competitive squad.
“I think we are heading in the right direction and hopefully in the three years that I've signed we can get that end goal."
Read more Sunderland news
- Ten players you probably forgot played for Sunderland in League One
- Former Sunderland defender earns fresh start at Wycombe Wanderers
- Charlie Methven Charlton takeover off with former Sunderland owner blasted over his conduct
- Tony Mowbray: 'I don’t want to keep repeating this but the Sunderland fans are amazing'
- FEATURE: 15 random former Sunderland players you probably didn't know still work in football
- Former fan favourite back at Sunderland to help develop new hero
- Best Sunderland defensive partnerships: How do Dan Ballard and Danny Batth compare?