DAN NEIL has committed his long-term future to Sunderland by signing a new contract to the summer of 2025.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who is a boyhood Black Cats fan, has become the latest of the club’s talented youngsters to sign a new long-term deal, having excelled since establishing himself in the first team in the opening two-and-a-half months of this season.

The South Shields-born youngster made his senior debut in the Papa John’s Trophy in 2018, and made six appearances during the competition last season as Sunderland triumphed in a Wembley final against Tranmere Rovers.

He has kicked on again in the current campaign, making 17 appearances in all competitions and scoring against Accrington Stanley and Lincoln City as well as claiming five assists.

“Everyone knows that I love this football club and I love playing for it,” said Neil, who has extended his contract by another four years. “It’s a dream come true to be playing in the first team and I’m loving every minute of it, but I want more and I want to be playing in the higher divisions for Sunderland.

“I want to be part of getting this club back to where it belongs and there’s nowhere I would rather be, so I’m delighted to have extended my contract.”

Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson added: “I’m really pleased for Dan and for the football club. We are excited and encouraged by his progression over the past year and we are enjoying having an overview of his hard work, but there is so much more to come from him and that is incredibly exciting because he is already a very good player.

“We are delighted to have made this type of commitment to a player who loves playing for Sunderland, is hungry for success and continuously proves his desire to improve through strong application.”