Sunderland activate one-year option to keep Luke Bell after season-long injury | OneFootball

Sunderland have activated a one-year option to retain highly rated defender Luke Bell. Sunderland Echo understands the club have exercised the clause despite his season-long injury absence.

Bell will remain at the Academy of Light for at least another year. The move fits Sunderland's approach of backing young players through serious injuries, with a strong emphasis on welfare and duty of care.

He has not featured this season after sustaining a serious knee injury at the back end of last campaign while training with the first team. Before the setback he had progressed well at U21 level and was regarded as one of the academy's more promising centre-backs.

In 2024-25 he made 25 appearances across all competitions, including 15 in Premier League 2, three in the Premier League Cup, four in the Premier League International Cup, two in the National League Cup and one in the PL2 play-offs. He also scored once and logged more than 2,000 minutes.

The injury was described last August as a traumatic knee issue that would keep him out for an extended period, with medical and sports science staff in place to support his recovery. Sunderland's decision keeps Bell in the building as he continues his rehabilitation.

Source: Sunderland Echo