JORDAN PICKFORD has signed a new deal that will see him extend his Sunderland career until the summer of 2020.

Pickford, an England Under-21 international being tipped for the top, made his first team debut for the Black Cats earlier this month in the FA Cup at Arsenal before then turning out in the Premier League for the first time at Tottenham Hotspur.

Sam Allardyce, the Sunderland boss who opted to offload Costel Pantilimon on the back of Pickford's progress, said: “Jordan is an exceptional talent, who has already demonstrated that he is comfortable playing at the highest level.

"At the tender age of just 21, which is still very young in goalkeeping terms, there is still a lot more potential for development, which is really exciting for us.

“It’s always great to see a local lad progress through the Academy ranks, especially for our fans and I am certain that Jordan has a very bright future ahead of him here at Sunderland.”

Pickford joined the Black Cats as an eight-year old in 2002 then signed a two-year scholarship in 2010.

He went on to become a key member of the club’s Under-21s side and has continued his development with loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford and Preston North End.