Smith signs on at Sunderland

Sunderland have tied up the immediate future of teenage defender Dan Smith after he signed a one-year contract.

The 19-year-old full-back, who made his Barclays Premiership debut last season, has now set his sights on winning a regular place in the team relegated to the Coca-Cola Championship.

Smith told the club’s official website, www.safc.com: “It’s great to sign and get it all done and dusted. We have been in talks over the summer and it was agreed when I was on holiday. If there was a chance to stay, I wanted to take it.

“I grew up in Sunderland, I supported the club – I know all about it and I wanted to stay. I’ve got to push on and try to get in the starting XI, or at least be in the squad every week.”