Harry Gardiner, a Sunderland youth team striker, has left the club for a non-league adventure.
Sunderland have finalized the loan transfer of young forward Harry Gardiner to Blyth Spartans.
This season, the 20-year-old has scored eight goals in all competitions for Sunderland’s youth sides and will now join John Shaw’s squad for league games against Bishop Stortford, Banbury United, Gloucester City, Scarborough, Warrington Town, and Hereford.
Blyth Spartans are presently 13th in the National League North standings. Gardiner signed a new one-year contract with the club last summer, extending his time on Wearside until 2024.
“Joining Blyth represents a fantastic opportunity for Harry to challenge himself at a high level of football,” stated Academy Manager Robin Nicholls. He’s been a consistent goal-scorer at various Academy levels, and it’ll be an interesting development test to see if he can keep that up in the National League North.”
Gardiner stepped up to the under-21s after fellow attacker Max Thompson suffered an ankle injury last season, and he was named Premier League 2 Player of the Month in February.
Gardiner made an impression for Sunderland’s under-21 team last season under Graeme Murty, scoring twice in a memorable 4-1 win over Stoke City with head coach Tony Mowbray in attendance.
Sunderland’s first team will play Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, in what will be the first Wear-Tyne rivalry in nearly eight years. Michael Beale’s squad won their last Championship encounter 2-0 against Preston North End.
