League One outfit Sunderland let Alex Storey go and now he appears to be on trial at Jonathan Woodgate’s Middlesbrough.
On June 11, Alex Storey’s Sunderland career came to an end.
The Black Cats released their ‘retained list’ six weeks ago and, while eyebrows were raised by the sudden departures of first-team right-back Adam Matthews and highly-rated goalkeeper Max Stryjek, no one was really talking about Storey.
The young centre-back was part of Sunderland’s U23 squad for two years but he never managed to force his way into Jack Ross’s first team plans. But, just over a month after Sunderland let him go, Storey could make a shock return to the north east just 30 miles south.
Middlesbrough’s U23s battered Bishop Auckland 7-1 at Rockcliffe Park over the weekend and there was a new face in the centre of defence – former Wearside youngster Storey.
The 20-year-old came on at the interval to help Boro seal a thumping win against the Northern League Division One outfit, forming a partnership with the former Auxerre starlet Iban Cossou, as reported by the Gazette.
It remains to be seen how long Storey has to make an impression at Middlesbrough, or whether he will be offered a contract by the Championship club.
But just imagine if he signs for Jonathan Woodgate’s outfit and shines at the Riverside, blossoming into one of the Championship’s most promising defenders. That is the risk Sunderland have taken by letting him go.
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