SUNDERLAND defender Ollie Younger has joined fellow League One side Doncaster Rovers on a permanent deal.

The 22-year-old has featured just five times this season for Sunderland but has failed to play a single League One game this season.

He arrived at the club from Burnley in September 2020 and went on to make eight appearances. However, the arrival of defender Danny Batth has pushed him further down the pecking order.

Younger joins a Doncaster side who sit bottom of League One and eleven points from safety.

Manager Lee Johnson was asked by the Northern Echo about Younger’s future in today’s press conference earlier this afternoon.

When asked about speculation, he responded: “Only that there has been interest. It’s a discussion point.

“Cracking lad Ollie. Whether he stayed here and signed a five-year contract or moved on, I’d always be championing him as a human being and as a personality.

“We’ve just got to decide what’s right for Ollie really. Like I say, every bit of interest has got to be taken on it’s merit. Naturally first for Sunderland but also in conjunction with Ollie and his career.”

Sunderland Head of Football Kristjaan Speakman said: “Ollie has really progressed over the last 18 months, but not populated the starting eleven enough due to the competition between our senior players.

"We believe that it’s important he continues his development to build a career and Doncaster represents a fantastic opportunity for him.

"Whilst the selfish approach would be to retain him, we need to support our young players with the right decisions at the right time. He’s a great kid and we wish him well.”