Roker Roundup: New Zealand international Sunderland Academy keeper signs new Eredivisie contract

Grimsby boss hopes to have forged Sunderland relationship

Elliot Embleton has had an impressive loan spell at League Two side Grimsby Town and after the midfielder was called up by the England under-20 squad, Mariners boss Michael Jolley hopes the youngsters development at Blundell Park will build a relationship with Sunderland.

Jolley explained that Embleton has been one of his side’s star performers this season and credits the player with his quick adjustment to senior football:

We’ve had players in the past that have come here and haven’t played so much, so there’s no guarantees when you take a young player that they’re going to feature as much as Elliot has done.

That’s credit to him that he’s adjusted so quickly.

Of course, it helps certainly in terms of building relationships with clubs like Sunderland if they’ve had a good experience, or their player has had a good experience here at Grimsby, and has played.

Having been on the other end of it, when you’re at a club in that position, you want the players to go out and play.

That’s the key thing, that’s the reason you send them out. I think it’s been a positive experience for us, and certainly for Elliot and Sunderland too.

I think he’s been one of our star performers across the whole season.

I think when he first came in, not too many people knew about him, but we did well to get him from Sunderland because he was a coveted player, and I think he’s had a good season for us.

From his perspective, he’s got a lot of experience and league games under his belt at this stage, and the international call-up is yet another marker that he is a player who is highly thought of.

We really appreciate the contribution he’s made to us so far, and good luck with England and we look forward to seeing him when he comes back.

Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Youngster signs for Pools

Academy midfielder Adam Bale was released by Sunderland yesterday and immediately signed for National League neighbours Hartlepool United.

The 20-year-old has captained Sunderland’s under-23 team and will now link up with his former coach Ged McNamee and a long time team-mate at the Academy of Light in loanee Luke Molyneux:

I got the chance to train with the squad for two weeks and I played in a game too and it was something I really enjoyed.

I then got a phone call to say there was an opportunity to sign for Hartlepool and I was buzzing straight away and so were my family when I told them about it.

It was good to train and be alongside the senior players and I’ve also known Luke Molyneux well for years so it helped having him around too – that will definitely help me settle in now.

I want to come here and really develop my game and help the Club achieve success. I saw what good players there are when I came in to training so hopefully we can really push on.

Academy product signs contract extension

Sunderland academy product Michael Woud left the club in the summer to join Eredivisie side Willem II.

Despite only signing a two-year contract when he completed his move in July, the New Zealand international goalkeeper has already extended his contract with the Dutch club until 2022.

Speaking after signing the deal, Woud said he is hopeful that he will take his first team chance when it arrives:

I feel the club’s confidence. That is of course very nice. Last summer I came to the club to develop further and to take my chance if it happens. Hopefully I will get that next season.

The club’s technical director explained that the 20-year-old had been very impressive in training and that led the club to offer him a new deal:

That’s why we want to keep Michael on our side for longer and we are very happy with this extension. Michael is an incredibly large talent with a lot of potential.

www.safc.com