Sunderland trigger one-year option for highly rated defender Luke Bell | OneFootball

Sunderland have triggered a one-year option to retain highly rated defender Luke Bell following a season-long injury absence, Sunderland Echo understands.

The centre-back will remain at the Academy of Light for at least another year after the club moved to extend his deal. He suffered a serious knee injury at the back end of last campaign while training with the first team.

The decision reflects Sunderland’s practice of supporting young players through long-term setbacks, with a strong emphasis on welfare and duty of care.

Before the injury, Bell had progressed with the U21s. In 2024-25 he made 25 appearances across all competitions, including 15 in Premier League 2, 3 in the Premier League Cup, 4 in the Premier League International Cup, 2 in the National League Cup and 1 in the PL2 play-offs. He scored once and logged more than 2,000 minutes.

He has been viewed as one of the academy’s more promising young defenders.

Source: Sunderland Echo