Lee Cattermole ‘to make’ former Sunderland defender his first Gateshead signing | OneFootball

Former Sunderland defender Thomas Lavery is reportedly set to become Lee Cattermole’s first signing at Gateshead following his summer release.

According to Pete O’Rourke, the right-back is closing in on a free transfer after leaving Sunderland earlier this summer, and looks set to continue his career in the National League.

Lavery joined Sunderland at the age of nine, rising through the Academy of Light and featuring regularly for the under-18s and under-21s. He marked a memorable under-21 debut in September 2023, scoring a late comeback winner against Aston Villa. He was also named on the first-team bench three times during the 2023-24 Championship campaign.

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

A move to Gateshead would offer Lavery a first crack at regular senior football under a manager familiar with Sunderland’s pathway. Cattermole was appointed this summer after working within the Black Cats’ youth set-up, and the deal would represent his first addition as he begins shaping the squad for the new season.

Source: Sunderland Echo