SUNDERLAND have tied down Ollie Younger to a one-year contract with an option of a further year. 

21-year-old Younger has been in pre-season training with the Sunderland squad and featured a number of times in their friendly matches. 

Younger featured for Sunderland four times last season playing three games in the Papa John's Trophy and one league game in March starting in their 2-0 win over Rochdale at the Stadium of Light. 

While Younger is some way behind the pecking rorder in the Sunderland defence, the decision to tie him down could be shrewd business with Bailey Wright entering the final year of his contract. 

Younger told the club website: “I’m delighted to have signed a new deal at the club. I felt like I had a good 2020-21 season, but I want to continue developing and I’ll keep my head down and continue to work hard.

"I’ve enjoyed pre-season, playing for the first team and in front of crowds, and hopefully I can earn more opportunities throughout the upcoming season.”

Manager Lee Johnson said: “Ollie has continually progressed and we felt a new a contract was the appropriate next step to take in his development.

"This creates an opportunity for Ollie and we will continue to assess his progression in a first-team environment with structured plan for him moving forward.”