Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce that Dan Neil has extended his contract at the Stadium of Light.
Born in South Shields and an Academy of Light graduate, the 21-year-old has agreed a new deal on Wearside until 30 June 2026.
Neil enjoyed an outstanding breakthrough season last term, making 46 first-team appearances as the Club earned promotion to the Sky Bet Championship via the EFL Play-Offs.
The gifted midfielder, who made his debut for the Black Cats aged 16, has been a mainstay during the current campaign and made a faultless step up to the second tier.
Featuring on 39 occasions this season – the joint-most alongside fellow academy graduate Anthony Patterson and summer signing Jack Clarke – Neil has now made 95 appearances in total for his boyhood Club.
A recipient of the North East Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year award in March 2022, Neil was also previously named EFL Young Player of the Month in December 2021 and has earned England recognition at Under-20 level.
Neil said: “I’m excited to be extending my time here – I’ve really enjoyed myself so far and I feel like I’m learning and developing, which is what I want at my age having broken into the first team. All my family are Sunderland fans, so I have immense pride playing for the Club. I always said I wanted to try and help this Club get back to where it belongs and signing this contract will give me an opportunity to help do that.”
Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman added: “Dan’s progression has been impressive and he’s an integral part of our team. It’s fantastic to see players flourish from our academy programme and Dan is a great representation of what young players can achieve here. He is an exceptionally talented midfielder who’s only getting better and naturally this doesn’t go unnoticed. He is immensely passionate about Sunderland and he understands and believes in what we are building, so all at SAFC are delighted that he has reaffirmed his commitment to the Club.”