The likelihood of Sunderland signing Kelechi Chibueze to a contract with the development team in the near future has been highlighted in a new report.
Kelechi Chibueze: who is he?
Chibueze is a goalkeeper who began his career in the Premier League’s Chelsea development system before moving to Leicester City. However, after leaving the King Power Stadium on July 1st after his contract with Leicester City expired, according to Transfermarkt, he is currently a free agent.
The 19-year-old’s lack of a home makes him available for free recruitment, making him a desirable option for any prospective suitors out there. However, it’s not just his level of performances at the club level that have been excellent.
The former shot-stopper for the Foxes previously played four times for England’s U16 team, and he is currently searching for his next long-term home to assist increase his chances of returning to the international fold at a higher level.
Are Chibueze and Sunderland a new team?
The goalkeeper recently trained with Graeme Murty’s U21 team, according to The Sunderland Echo, and is currently on trial at the Academy of Light.
It is “indication” that the hierarchy are thinking about giving him a contract when the Championship team manages to get their target into the building to get a closer look at him, though it is important to note that “no decision has yet been made” on whether this will actually happen.
Adam Richardson’s current injury and the departures of Jacob Carney and Harrison Bond have “caused a void” in this particular department, so this could be a situation to keep a close eye on over the coming months. Nathan Bishop, who joined over the summer, has been training with the academy.
How many sets of fresh sheets did Chibueze keep?
Chibueze only managed to keep three clean sheets in 19 appearances while playing for Leicester, so he’s still very much a work in progress. However, it’s clear that joining the academy at Sunderland would help him acquire more experience and advance as a player.
The Nigerian-born Lewisham talent has played against a respectable level of competition while representing his country, taking on young teams like Croatia, Austria, Japan, and Turkey in a series of friendlies. As a result, this exposure to tougher competition will have been extremely beneficial for him.
In addition, the youthful shot-stopper only made £500 per week in the Midlands, making him a very inexpensive and accessible hire for Wearside leaders, whose salary would be well worth it for a potential star in the making.
The Black Cats will be aware that Chibueze is still only a teenager, but should he demonstrate enough promise to be given the opportunity to sign a contract, he is likely to be given the chance he needs to progress and become an exciting addition for the long-term future of the red and white stripes
