Tommy Lavery joins Gateshead on two-year deal after Sunderland exit | OneFootball

Tommy Lavery, 20, has joined Gateshead on a two-year contract, becoming Lee Cattermole’s first signing after leaving Sunderland at the end of last season.

“They were good talks to be fair,” he told the club website. “When I came in, he knew a lot about me.”

“We sat and spoke and he said he likes me as a player and thinks I can fit in here. I’m buzzing with it.”

“Being at Sunderland for 11 years, when you leave, people think it’s scary, but I was ready for my next steps, ready to play men’s football, full-time and get in there. It was good to get this sorted. I’m ready for the new season.”

The defender spent the first half of last season on loan at Cliftonville, then gained further senior minutes with National League rivals FC Halifax Town over the final four months. He had been a regular for Sunderland’s under-18s and under-21s, earned first-team call-ups, and made seven unused bench appearances across the last two Championship seasons.

Source: Sunderland Echo