Sunderland 'specimen' joins Irish club Dundalk for the rest of the season

Sunderland continue their dedication to development by sending out another top youngster on loan.

Highly-rated Sunderland defender Zak Johnson has left Sunderland to join Irish club Dundalk on loan for the rest of the season.

The 19-year-old centre-back played an active part for Sunderland in pre-season and played 11 games in a loan spell at Hartlepool earlier this season.

He will now get the chance to play more first team football over in Ireland, with him expected to make his debut against Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

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Speaking about the move, Zak Johnson said: “When Sunderland agreed that I should go and get some minutes elsewhere, I set up a Zoom call with the [Dundalk] gaffer and [head of football] Brian Gartland and I was hooked straight way.

“I know for my development that I need to play first-team football and I think this will be a great opportunity for me to take a big step forward in my career.”

Meanwhile, Dundalk head coach Stephen O’Donnell spoke of his excitement at getting Johnson into his squad, especially given the pedigree he has internationally.

“Zak has had first-team experience already this season with Hartlepool and he captained England Under-18s last summer which is a great achievement considering the wealth of talent at under-age level,” O’Donnell said.

“Physically, he is a big specimen, he has a good personality, and we are looking forward to having him in the group.”

The move continues Sunderland’s dedication to development, and they see Johnson as a player with genuine first-team potential.

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He joins a long list of Black Cats youngsters such as Jewison Bennetter (Aris), Joe Anderson (Shrewsbury), Jay Matete (Oxford), Eliezer Mayenda and Nectar Triantis (both Hibernian) currently away from the club getting first team football.

“This is an exciting move for Zak and gives him the chance to challenge himself at a good level of football following a year in which he has experienced international football as well as playing in the National League for Hartlepool, the EFL Cup for our first team, and a variety of competitions with our U21s,” Sunderland academy manager Robin Nicholls said.

“Our discussions with Dundalk FC have been very positive and they delivered excellently on the role Zak would play in their system. It is a good test for Zak to operate in a team who have high ambitions.”

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