---
title: "Sunderland: New Academy of Light arrival has ‘unfinished business’"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-new-academy-of-light-arrival-has-unfinished-business/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-08-20T20:30:19Z"
modified: "2020-08-20T20:30:19Z"
---

# Sunderland: New Academy of Light arrival has ‘unfinished business’

**New Sunderland signing Vinnie Steels has said he has ‘[unfinished business](https://www.safc.com/news/academy-news/2020/august/vinnie-steels-interview)‘ at the club after returning to the under-23 setup.**

The Black Cats’ academy sides endured a torrid 2019/2020 campaign, with both the under-18 and under-23 sides failing to gain a single win in their respective leagues.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”292828″\]

Following such poor performances, Paul Reid [left](https://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2020/june/paul-reid-leaves-safc) his role as academy manager, prompting [speculation over the future of the Wearside club’s Tier 1 academy status](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-afcs-response-concerns-over-clubs-category-one-academy-status-after-another-dramatic-week-2901648) and a whole host [player exits](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/promising-goalkeeper-agrees-new-deal-sunderland-announce-string-key-academy-contract-calls-2892221) followed.

With those exits, three players arrived to bolster the squad ahead of the new season, seeing Sam [Wilding](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sam-wilding/profil/spieler/399661), Bobby [Beaumont](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bobby-beaumont/profil/spieler/640197) and [Steels arrive.](https://www.uptheclarets.com/steels-signs-sunderland-deal)

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

[Steels](https://www.uptheclarets.com/steels-signs-sunderland-deal) was previously in Sunderland’s academy system and returns to the club after spells with Darlington, York City and Burnley.

*“It’s obviously a lot different from when I was here at Under-14,”* Steels told the club’s [official website.](https://www.safc.com/news/academy-news/2020/august/vinnie-steels-interview)

*“There’s a lot of coaches I remember from the first-time round like Elliott Dickman, Scott Pearce and Lewis Dickman, so it’s been really good to catch up with them.*

*“I really enjoyed my time here when I was younger, and I think I have unfinished business.*

*“Playing at York City was a big learning curve for me and an experience that will benefit me in the long run, as I learned the physical side of the game.”*

*He continued: “We’ve had a long time out but it’s great to be back, everyone has come back in decent shape.*

*“I can’t wait to get out on the grass playing games now and hopefully it will be a successful season.”*

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

The Wearside club have to make significant changes at both youth and first team level, and the three arrivals have bolstered the under-23 side’s options ahead of next term.

Results are not that important at youth level but a consistent and clear pathway for young players to the first team needs to be developed.

***Do you think Steels can go on and become a first team regular? Let us know in the comments section below…***