Sunderland youth coach John Hewitson has stated that the club decided not to sign many trialists this summer.
Sunderland scouted a few players while weighing their options. However, none of them were able to secure a contract at the Stadium of Light in the end.
Silko Thomas, 18, was one of the Black Cats’ targets after leaving Chelsea, along with former Blackpool defender Bobby Bjork and Swedish teenager Gideon Granstrom.
Hewitson has said, as per Sunderland Echo: “The club chose not to pursue and also the boys chose to go elsewhere. It’s just one of them things, that was something that we looked at, we had different lines of going into that avenue but it just didn’t come off. We move on and have a look at other people really and it’s just one of them things.” Sunderland trialist decisions
Thomas has now been snapped up by fellow Championship side Leicester City following his temporary stint at Sunderland. He rose up through the academy ranks at Chelsea.
The Jamaica-born man was a regular for the Blues at various youth levels during his time on the books at Stamford Bridge. However, he never made a senior appearance and was released at the end of the last campaign.
Bjork cut ties with Blackpool after their relegation to League One last term. The Seasiders made the tough decision not to extend his contract at Bloomfield Road when it expired at the end of June.
The 18-year-old has now decided to drop into non-league and has been snapped up by Burscough. They play their football in the North West Counties League.
Sunderland are back in action on Friday with an away trip to Sheffield Wednesday. The Black Cats lost 1-0 at home to Cardiff City last time out and will be eager to bounce back at Hillsborough.
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