Two Everton defenders to pip teammate McGeady as Sunderland’s first summer arrivals; who are they?

Sky Sports are reporting Everton duo Brendan Galloway and Tyias Browning are en-route to Wearside this afternoon to undergo medicals ahead of season-long loan deals.

The pair of Toffees' defenders are set to pip their elder teammate Aiden McGeady to become new Sunderland boss Simon Grayson's first captures of the season.

Brendan Galloway is a 21 year-old defender who can cover both centre-back and left-back. He has represented England at youth level twenty-one times, including three outings for the England Under 21s. Galloway started his career at MK Dons, alongside Dele Ali.

Interestingly, he became the youngest first-team player in Milton Keynes Dons' history at 15 years of age after making his debut as a 79th-minute substitute in a 6–0 victory at home to Nantwich Town in the FA Cup first round.

Since moving to Everton in the August of 2014, Galloway has struggled to break into the first-team starting eleven, making only 17 appearances in three seasons at Goodison Park. He is under contract until 2020 - having put pen to paper in a new deal in the December of 2015 and remains valued as a decent prospect by Everton.

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Tony Pulis believed Galloway could do a covering job for West Brom in the Premier League last term signing him on loan. The 6ft 1in defender made three appearances in the top flight for the Baggies last season before being recalled by his parent club.

Galloway was named in the England U17 squad for the Nordic U17s Football Championship in 2012. His first match for England was against the Faroe Islands in August 2012. He represented England in the 2014 UEFA Under-19 Championship qualifying campaign.

Testament to Galloway’s talent came when Zimbabwe approached Galloway in a bid to represent them in the 2017 African Cup of Nations, Galloway chose to remain part of the England U21 set up.

Brendan clearly has potential and fits into the young and hungry mould that should become the bedrock of Sunderland's Championship ethos - he seemingly has something to prove. Galloway has 42 first-team appearances to his name and could be an asset in a Black Cats side in much need of defensive cover.

The second of the pair, 23 year-old Tyias Browning can also play centre back but doubles as a right back. Browning, a Merseyside native, came up through Everton’s youth system.

Like Galloway, he has represented England at youth level. His playing record boasts five caps at U20 level and four caps for both the U19 and U17 side.

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Browning does not have as much first team experience as his Everton team mate, Galloway, having only accrued 17 appearances in his career to date.

However, Browning is particularly interesting for Sunderland right now as he has worked under new manager Simon Grayson previously. Tyias spent last season on loan at Preston, making eight appearances.

Grayson must clearly think Browning can do a job for Sunderland in the Championship having worked with him closely. Browning also had a loan spell with Wigan Athletic in 2013/2014 season but only made a handful of apearences for The Lactics.

Following his return to Everton after the Wigan experience, Browning made his first appearance for Everton's senior squad at Anfield for the Merseyside Derby. He came on as a substitute to replace long-time Toffees' legend Tony Hibbert after 72 minutes with the scoreline 1–0 to Liverpool. The game finished 1–1.

Although it may frustrate fans on Wearside that Sunderland seem to be continuing a strategy of pursuing ex-Everton players, the signing of Galloway and Browning could prove something of a coup for the club.

They are both talented, young, athletic and hungry. With so many games to play next season and Sunderland in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, Galloway and Browning should be welcomed with open arms.