Youngster Heads Out On Loan

Youth team goalkeeper Johnny Maddison has moved on loan to Crawley Town until the end of the season, joining the club as back-up to starting stopper Paul Jones.

Maddison has been a regular for the Under-18 side this season and is likely to move up to the Development squad next season to compete with Jordan Pickford for a starting role.

Speaking to the club's official website about the move, Crawley manager Ritchie Barker said of his new capture;

We are delighted to have Johnny on board. He has been training for a few days with us and you can see that he has all the attributes to develop into a good goalkeeper.

He is working with Sunderland's first team squad and has been a regular in their Academy team. This will give him more experience and, of course, provide us with cover for Paul Jones.

It represents a big move for Maddison in moving to a League One side since he has yet to get anywhere near the first team squad at the Stadium Of Light, with his route to third choice blocked by the fore mentioned Pickford and Ben Wilson.

We will watch his progress if he get's any time with great intrigue.