A former Sunderland youngster made his debut at international level in midweek.
Former Sunderland youngster Harry Fieldson has credited his departure from the Academy of Light as one of the key reasons why he has progressed into the Scotland Under-21s setup.
The 21-year-old defender featured alongside the likes of Tommy Watson and Timur Tuterov during his time within the Black Cats youth ranks and was in the Sunderland Under-21s side that reached the Premier League 2 play-off final in 2024 before they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. The youngster left Wearside to move north of the border as he made a free transfer switch to Queen’s Park and his form with the Spiders led to a move to Premiership club St Mirren this summer.
Henry Fieldson during his time with Sunderland Under-21s.placeholder image
Henry Fieldson during his time with Sunderland Under-21s. | Wolves via Getty Images
Fieldson has started all but one of the Buddies league fixtures during the opening two months of the season and he has now been recognised at international level after making his Scotland Under-21s debut in a 5-2 win against Azerbaijan in midweek and will hope to earn a second cap when his side face their Bulgaria counterparts on Tuesday night.
Fieldson has reflected on his journey from the Academy of Light into international football over recent seasons and he believes his move north of the border has helped him ‘grow up and mature’ ahead of an impressive introduction to life at a senior level.
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When asked about his move into first-team football in Scotland, he told The Scotsman: “I'd encourage anyone to do that. It's the best thing you can do as a young player. Academy football can be false, in the sense that there is no real reason to win. Competition is a massive thing for development, and having that winning mentality being installed in you from a younger age is great. I put a lot of emphasis on my years at Queen's Park and the position I'm in now. If I stayed at Sunderland, I truly believe I wouldn't be in this position. When I made the decision to leave Sunderland. I was 19. I could have stayed, I've seen boys stay there until they are 21 and go through the whole process. Fair play to them. It works for some, and not for others. I knew my path was different.
“Moving away from home is such a good thing at a young age. It makes you grow up and mature. I look at myself now and I don't think I look 21, or act 21. I've had a tough paper round as they say. But it sets you up lovely for life. I massively love and respect Sunderland for the work they put in up until that point, but I knew I had hit my limit. I didn't think I'd get much more development playing academy football. It's been a good start [at St Mirren], the club are in a good position and in the top half of the table. Long may that continue. To have this opportunity to represent my country is a massive thing. I'm really happy to do it."