Sunderland academy scholar Alex Lienard has captained New Zealand at Under-17 level _(Image: SAFC)_
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SUNDERLAND have announced their intake of new Under-18 academy scholars for the new season – with the group including a signing from Northern Irish side Coleraine, a New Zealand Under-17s captain and the son for a former [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland) striker.
The academy hopefuls will follow Sunderland’s professional development programme at the Academy of Light and follow full-time careers under the watchful eye of coaches Fin Lynch and Jordan Moore.
The group includes Tom Proctor, a lifelong Sunderland fan who is the son of Black Cats first-team coach and former striker Michael Proctor.
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Tom, who has been part of Sunderland’s academy set-up since the age of six, is an attacking midfielder who made 13 Under-18 Premier League appearances last season, scoring twice and and also claming an assist.
Central midfielder Matthew Burns is part of the academy intake, having recently joined Sunderland from Coleraine, where he made his senior debut in the Northern Irish top-flight last season.
Charlie Hamilton-Forsyth is a centre-half who has represented England at youth level, while Alex Lienard is a versatile defensive midfielder who has captained New Zealand Under-17s.
The other youngsters awarded academy contracts are James Barker, Jay Brown, Arron Bowman, Lewis Campbell, Joseph Cowan, Harry Hunter, Jay Matadeen, Finley Robertson, Caleb Shakespeare and Robert Walton.