South Shields coach Wes Brown has hailed Harry Gardiner after the highly-rated striker sealed a move to League One giants Sunderland, while speaking to the Mariners’ website.
Dutch defender Wouter Verstraaten raised plenty of eyebrows when he turned down the chance to swap South Shields for Sunderland last summer but, when the opportunity arose, Gardiner was never likely to do the same.
After just a few months at the 1st Cloud Arena, Lee Johnson’s side offered the youngster an eight-week trial at the Stadium of Light.
After impressing the Sunderland coaching staff, boyhood Black Cats fanatic Gardiner has now agreed a long-term contract with one of English football’s most historic footballing institutions.
“We were only a short part of Harry’s football journey but what a pleasure it was to be the final stepping stone on his journey to a professional club,” said Brown, South Shields’ Academy Manager.
“We are very happy to see Harry reach another level, but on the other hand sad to lose such a great player and person.
“The first time I watched Harry I knew he would be perfect for our scholarship programme.
“He is a quiet lad on and off the pitch but his intelligence shouts louder than any player I’ve seen for a long time.
“Harry has a bright future and has excelled in our environment, and I hope he does the same at Sunderland AFC.
“We wish him all the luck in the world on his new venture.”
Gardiner is not the first exciting young talent to join Sunderland in the last few months.
The Wearsiders have also snapped up prospects from Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Burnley, Everton and West Brom.
And, in Johnson and new sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, Sunderland now have two key figures famed for giving a platform to the next generation.
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