'Great opportunity' - Sunderland figure explains move as non-league transfer is confirmed by club
Robin Nicholls says Adam Richardson's loan to Hebburn Town provides a "good opportunity" for the young goalkeeper.
The Echo reported earlier this summer that Sunderland were looking to find Richardson a loan , and now the player has joined non-leaguers Hebburn Town on an initial one-month deal and will link up with the Hornets ahead of Saturday's Northern Premier League fixture against Lancaster City.
Sign up to our Sunderland AFC newsletterSign upSorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later.Submitting...Last season, the 20-year-old played for Sunderland during pre-season under Tony Mowbray and was set to join the senior goalkeeping group behind Nathan Bishop and first-choice Anthony Patterson before sustaining an injury towards the end of last summer.
After returning to full fitness, Sunderland were looking to loan Richardson to the National League in February before the shot-stopper picked up another injury . After his second comeback, Richardson played a key role as Graeme Murty's under-21s reached the Premier League 2 play-off final against Tottenham.
Sunderland's academy manager Nicholls said: "This provides Adam with a great opportunity to get some match minutes at a good level of senior football. He will remain training with us as per the U21 schedule for the majority of the time whilst also integrating with Hebburn."
Sunderland have a good record when it comes to goalkeepers, having produced England's number one Jordan Pickford and current Sunderland first-choice Anthony Patterson. Patterson has made 128 Sunderland appearances aged just 24 after a spell at Notts County in the National League.
Another of Sunderland's highly-rated goalkeepers, Matty Young, is also currently out on loan to EFL side Salford City, who play their football in League Two. Richardson could start for Hebburn Town this weekend and will also train with Sunderland's under-21s during the loan spell.
