Roker Roundup: South Korean attacking midfielder set to join Sunderland on trial in pre-season

Portsmouth prospect set for Sunderland trial

Sunderland’s under-23s improved massively in 2020-21, going from a just single point earned in the previous campaign to narrowly missing out on promotion through the play-offs, losing on penalties to Crystal Palace.

The club will be looking to improve further going into next season and with that in mind the club are already looking to strengthen the under-23 team.

Portsmouth News say Seok Jae Lee will link up with Sunderland during pre-season as he looks to earn a deal, after turning down a new contract with Danny Cowley’s side.

The 17-year-old South Korean is an attacking midfielder who has already made two appearances for Pompey’s first team, both coming in the EFL Trophy, and was recently on trial with Brentford.

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Gorrin on joining Sunderland

Oxford United midfielder Alex Gorrin came through the ranks at Sunderland, without making a first team appearance, before departing for Wellington Phoenix in 2014.

The midfielder has since featured for Boavista, Romanian outfit Sepsi and Motherwell before signing for Oxford, where he has become a key player in their League One team.

Gorrin has given an interview with Depor Press, where he has discussed his career so far and revealed how he came to join the Academy of Light at the age of 16:

They saw me in Tenerife, offering to do some tests at Sunderland. I went for the first time and then they invited me on a second occasion, finally offering me three years of contract.

He was 16 years old, he was a boy from Tenerife and with an opportunity too good to pass up.

For me, it was a dream, plus my family has always supported me in my decisions. We decided to take the plunge, without looking back. Since then, I’ve been back and forth, taking steps in my career.

Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images

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Edwards plays on

Carlos Edwards will continue playing for another season after he agreed a new deal with Bury Town.

The Trinidad and Tobago international will turn 43 this year but that has not stopped him from being a regular for the Isthmian League North Division outfit and he has signed a deal that will keep him at the club for the duration of the 2021-22 season.

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