Brighton & Hove Albion Completes Signing for Sunderland Rising Star on the Deadline Day

Sunderland AFC has officially announced the departure of promising academy midfielder Josh Robertson, as he joins Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal of undisclosed value.

Despite Robertson’s notable progress within Sunderland’s Academy of Light, the club expressed reluctance in releasing the 18-year-old, emphasizing that the decision was made after the player indicated his preference for a future away from the club.

Josh Robertson, a pivotal member of Sunderland’s U18 side that has excelled in this season’s FA Youth Cup, had caught the eye with his performances.

However, with his scholarship set to expire at the end of the season and his unwillingness to commit to a long-term stay at Sunderland, negotiations ensued, leading to the club’s acceptance of the situation.

Speaking on the departure, Sunderland’s Academy boss Robin Nicholls stated,

“We are disappointed that Josh will be departing the group, as he is a player with potential that we hoped could eventually progress into our senior team, but we wish him well for the future and are proud to have played an integral role in his development.”

Josh Robertson will join the U21 squad of Brighton for the remainder of the season, with an eye on furthering his career towards senior football. Shannon Ruth, Brighton’s U21 boss, expressed delight in welcoming Robertson, citing his versatile attacking abilities and goal-scoring prowess.

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Robertson, having made his U21 debut earlier in the season for Sunderland, now embarks on a new chapter, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal with his new club.

This move marks the end of Robertson’s tenure at Sunderland, where he had been part of the academy since the age of nine, showcasing the challenges and decisions faced by young talents in pursuit of their footballing aspirations.