Sunderland trigger one-year option on Jenson Jones after Newcastle United bench involvement | OneFootball

Sunderland Echo understands Sunderland have triggered the one-year option in Jenson Jones’ contract, keeping the highly rated 19-year-old at the Academy of Light until at least summer 2027.

Jones signed his first professional deal in July 2024 to run until summer 2026, with a 12-month option that the club have now exercised.

The academy graduate joined Sunderland aged six and has risen through the age groups to become a regular at U21 level. He is considered versatile, operating at full-back or in central midfield, and has gained increasing exposure under Régis Le Bris.

He featured in pre-season and made his senior competitive debut at the start of the campaign, playing 45 minutes in the EFL Cup against Huddersfield Town. Since then he has been named on the bench seven times in the Premier League and twice in the FA Cup.

In March’s derby at St James’ Park, with the squad stretched, Jones was included among the substitutes. He was only one injury or suspension away from a possible call-up.

For the U21s he made seven appearances in the Premier League Cup, including the final against Burnley at the Stadium of Light. He also featured across Premier League 2, the National League Cup and the Premier League International Cup.

Sunderland are working through a series of academy contract calls. One-year options have also been triggered for Ben Metcalf and Luke Bell, while Matty Young is nearing a new deal after impressing on loan at Salford City.

Source: Sunderland Echo