Northern Irish midfielder Carl Winchester arrived at the Stadium of Light for an undisclosed fee in January 2021 from Sky Bet League Two side Forest Green Rovers, penning an initial two-and-a-half-year deal with the Lads.
Born in Belfast, Winchester started his career with Linfield before signing for Oldham Athletic in 2010 and making over 100 league appearance for the Latics.
Becoming Lee Johnson's first signing of his time in charge and scoring his first goal in May 2021 against Northampton Town, Winchester also played under the Head Coach during his time at Boundary Park, which came to end in 2017 when he joined Cheltenham Town.
A regular in the Northern Ireland youth setup during his younger years, Winchester made his full international debut in 2011 at the age of just 18, facing Wales in the Nations Cup.
