Sunderland academy graduate Dan Neil has put pen to paper on a new contract to extend his stay at the club. The 21-year-old midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last term as the Black Cats won promotion to the Championship and has been a mainstay in Tony Mowbray's side this season.
Neil has made 40 appearances so far in the 2022/23 campaign, scoring two goals and notching sour assists. The midfielder has penned a new deal at the Stadium of Light, to extend his stay until the summer of 2026.
The Black Cats youngster joins fellow academy graduate Anthony Patterson - who earned a new contract last summer - in signing new terms with the club, a clear sign if it were needed from the Sunderland hierarchy that they're intent on keeping their best talents at the club.
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Neil was linked with a move to Burnley last season after an impressive display in the Carabao Cup at Arsenal, but interest has fallen quiet on that front since Vincent Kompany's arrival at Turf Moor and the Clarets relegation.
Speaking after signing a new deal, Neil said: "I’m excited to be extending my time here – I’ve really enjoyed myself so far and I feel like I’m learning and developing, which is what I want at my age having broken into the first team.
"All my family are Sunderland fans, so I have immense pride playing for the Club. I always said I wanted to try and help this Club get back to where it belongs and signing this contract will give me an opportunity to help do that.”
The midfielder was named North East Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year award in March 2022 and previously named EFL Young Player of the Month in December 2021 and has earned England recognition at Under-20 level.
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