---
title: "Sunderland: Under-23 revamp continues with defender set to sign"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-under-23-revamp-continues-with-defender-set-to-sign/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-08-28T12:40:53Z"
modified: "2020-08-28T12:40:53Z"
---

# Sunderland: Under-23 revamp continues with defender set to sign

**Sunderland’s revamp of their under-23 side is set to [continue](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-set-add-former-hartlepool-united-defender-their-u23-group-rebuild-continues-2955356) with the signing of former Hartlepool defender Kenton Richardson.**

The Black Cats’ academy sides had a torrid 2019/2020 season which saw both the under-18 and under-23’s unable to record a single victory in their respective divisions.

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) which was added to after a whole host of [players left the academy setup.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/promising-goalkeeper-agrees-new-deal-sunderland-announce-string-key-academy-contract-calls-2892221)

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

[Three new faces have since arrived](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sunderland-add-trio-signings-clubs-18775289) to bolster Elliot Dickman’s under-23 side in the shape of Sam Wilding, Bobby Beaumont and Vinnie Steels.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”292828″\]

Richardson, who is available on a free transfer after leaving Hartlepool United this summer, is now [expected](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-set-add-former-hartlepool-united-defender-their-u23-group-rebuild-continues-2955356) to sign terms at the Academy of Light.

The 21-year-old, who began his career with the National League side has made a total of [50 first team appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kenton-richardson/profil/spieler/476147) for the club.

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

If this deal does go through, it will act as another good move by the club to ensure a season as bad as last, does not happen again.

The under-23 side is an important gap between the youth setup at Sunderland the first team, and the club has to ensure that it moves forward.

***Do you think the under-23 side can improve on last season’s poor performances? Let us know in the comments section below…***