LEE JOHNSON is confident teenage Manchester City defender Callum Doyle will make a major impact on Sunderland’s first-team prospects next season.

Doyle became the Black Cats’ third summer signing when he joined on a season-long loan deal this afternoon.

The 17-year-old was a key figure in Manchester City’s Under-23s team last season, helping the club’s youngsters win the Premier League 2 title.

He made 12 Under-23s appearances as well as playing in two Papa John’s Trophy matches and 14 games for City’s Under-18s, who also won their league title.

Stepping up to League One level will be a considerable leap, but having persuaded Pep Guardiola to send Doyle to Wearside, Johnson is confident the youngster will take the move into senior football in his stride.

“We are grateful to Man City for believing in us as a club to be able to help develop somebody like Callum,” said Johnson, who also recruited midfielders Alex Pritchard and Corry Evans this summer. “He is a very talented player, but obviously he is still very young, so the expectation of him in terms of the first team is that we are quietly confident he can have a big impact as time goes on.

“At six foot three, he is very good technically, can carry the ball and has a lovely left foot, but of course man-on-man combat is what he has to break through and be comfortable with. Overall, we are delighted to put him amongst our squad and believe that he can be a real positive for us.”

Doyle has linked up with Sunderland’s players in Scotland, although it remains to be seen whether he will be involved in tomorrow’s friendly at Hearts.

Both Pritchard and Evans are expected to feature as the Black Cats continue their pre-season preparations at Tynecastle.

“I’m looking forward to working with Lee Johnson because he has worked with young players in the past and given them opportunities,” said Doyle. “Hopefully, I can gain that opportunity and he can improve me as a player.

“I’m a big presence at the back and I like to bring the ball out, but I also love a duel. I’m over the moon to be here and I’m very excited to get started.”