It's not just Sunderland's first team who will be getting put through their paces this summer
Sunderland U21s boss Graeme Murty. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
Sunderland AFC’S U21s and U18s are heading off on tour.
Both squads will undertake a competitive pre-season schedule, featuring a blend of domestic fixtures and a warm-weather training camp in Italy.
The U21s will begin their preparations away at Darlington on July 15 (7:30pm), taking on a side managed by former Newcastle United star Steve Watson, who led the Quakers to an 11th-place finish in the National League North last season. Graeme Murty’s side will then host Derby County and Burnley at the Academy of Light.
The U21 group will round off their summer schedule with a trip to Merseyside, facing Liverpool at the Liverpool FC Academy on August 9.
The U18s, led by Fin Lynch and Jordan Moore, kick off their programme at home to Bradford City on July 19 (12,30pm), before taking on Lincoln City, Rotherham United and Birmingham City.
As part of their preparations, both age groups will also travel to Italy from July 21-28, replicating last summer’s successful warm-weather training camp.
The tour will feature four fixtures – two for each squad – offering valuable experience and exposure against elite European opposition.
The 2024 trip proved a key part of the Academy’s growth, with players benefiting both in terms of technical development and team cohesion.
Academy manager Robin Nicholls added: “It is great once again to look forward to a strong and challenging pre-season period for our U18 and U21 groups.
"As always, we try to blend the right amount of challenge and development through the training and games that we provide the players and staff with.
"The trip to Italy will once again be a key development period where the groups will be challenged with a stimulus that is different from the norm. Alongside this, we have some great fixtures against clubs from across the football pyramid.”
For both squad’s pre-season fixtures see the club’s website.
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