Lee Cattermole ‘to sign’ former Sunderland defender as first Gateshead addition | OneFootball

Former Sunderland right-back Thomas Lavery is set to become Lee Cattermole’s first Gateshead signing after his summer release.

According to Sunderland Echo, Lavery is closing in on a free move after leaving the Black Cats earlier this summer, and looks set to continue his career in the National League.

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

He marked his under-21 debut in September 2023 with a late comeback winner against Aston Villa, and was named on the first-team bench three times during the 2023-24 Championship season.

The defender made 24 appearances across the under-18 and under-21 teams in 2024-25, but was released as part of the club’s academy decisions this summer. A switch to Gateshead would offer him a first step into regular senior football under a manager familiar with Sunderland’s pathway. Cattermole was appointed Gateshead boss this summer after previously working within the Black Cats’ youth set-up, and is beginning to shape his squad for the new season.

Source: Sunderland Echo