Dan Neil back in North East to watch Hebburn while on Ipswich loan | OneFootball

Dan Neil was back in the North East at the weekend, attending Hebburn Town after travelling up from Suffolk. According to Sunderland Echo, the 24-year-old Ipswich Town loanee was pictured outside the ground.

Hebburn shared the image on social media, marking the visit of the former Sunderland captain. The midfielder started his football journey with the club’s juniors.

Born in South Shields, Neil supported Sunderland and moved from Hebburn Town Juniors to the Academy of Light. He made his senior debut in the EFL Trophy in November 2018, then became a first team regular.

He scored his first professional goal against Accrington Stanley in September 2021 and was influential in Sunderland’s promotion push. That form brought the EFL Young Player of the Month award for December 2021, amid reported interest from Premier League sides including Burnley and Aston Villa.

Neil joined Championship side Ipswich on loan earlier this year until the end of the season. He is due to be a free agent in the summer.

His return to watch Hebburn underlined a lasting connection with the area, and the image circulated quickly among supporters. On leaving Sunderland in January, he thanked coaches, staff, team-mates and fans and said captaining the club had fulfilled a boyhood dream, while then sporting director Kristjaan Speakman praised his impact and character.

Source: Sunderland Echo