Sunderland sign teenage defender until end of the season to strengthen their U23 squad

Sunderland have signed teenage defender Ugonna Eminike following a successful spell on trial with the Wearsiders' U23 side. Eminike, who previously played for Isthmian League side Letherhead, has played seven games for Sunderland's U23 team and will link up with Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor's squad until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old has played in both central defence and at left-back during his time with Sunderland. "I am delighted to be joining a club with the stature of Sunderland," said Eminike.

"I have had a few games on trial here and it's been good to get those under my belt with my new teammates and coaches. "It's an honour to be playing here and I'm looking forward to focusing on helping the team for the rest of the season."

Eminike is just one of several players who have spent time on trial with Sunderland's U23s in recent months. Chester-le-Street winger Michael Spellman has played a number of games, Stockport centre-back Scott Holding played against West Bromwich Albion U23 last week, and in Monday's defeat against Stoke City U23, former Liverpool academy right-back Sean Wilson was in the starting line-up.

Coach Proctor said afterwards that he expects more players to arrive on trial between now and the end of the season as the club looks to strengthen its U23 ranks. He said: "I don't think they'll be the last trialists we'll see, obviously it's getting to that part of the season now and we are looking ahead to next year to try and find some more players for us to try and push and develop."