Lee Cattermole 'to make' former Sunderland defender first Gateshead signing | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, former Sunderland right-back Thomas Lavery is close to joining Gateshead on a free transfer after his release earlier this summer.

He now looks set to continue his career in the National League.

Lavery had been with Sunderland since the age of nine and progressed through the Academy of Light, featuring regularly for the club’s under-18 and under-21 sides.

He marked his under-21 debut in September 2023 by scoring a late comeback winner against Aston Villa. He was also named among Sunderland’s first-team substitutes three times during the 2023-24 Championship campaign.

The defender made 24 appearances across the under-21 and under-18 teams during 2024-25, but was not retained this summer as part of the club’s academy release decisions.

A switch to Gateshead would offer a first step into regular senior football under Lee Cattermole, who was appointed this summer after working in Sunderland’s youth set-up. The deal would represent his first signing since taking charge as he shapes the squad for the new season.

Source: Sunderland Echo