TRAI HUME got his first taste of life at Sunderland when he watched last month’s five-goal demolition of Sheffield Wednesday from the Stadium of Light stands. Now, the 19-year-old wants to sample things out on the pitch.

Hume became the Black Cats’ first signing of the January window yesterday when he penned a four-and-a-half year contract to join from Northern Irish side Linfield for an undisclosed fee.

A right-back who can also play in midfield, the teenage spent the first half of the season in Northern Ireland’s Danske Bank Premiership, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 17 matches for a Linfield side led by former Sunderland striker David Healy.

Having spent part of last season on loan at Ballymena United, Hume boasts more than 50 senior appearances in the Northern Irish top-flight and has also played in the qualifying stages of both the Champions League and Europa League.

“It feels amazing to be here at this massive club and I can’t wait to get out there in front of the fans with my new team-mates,” said Hume.

“I came to the Sheffield Wednesday match and it was absolutely bouncing – I loved every second of it.

“I’ve played over 50 games in the Irish league and I think that will help me settle in, but this is the right time for me to test myself in a new environment and this is the right club. Sunderland are aiming for bigger and better things and I can’t wait to get going.”

A Northern Ireland Under-21 international, Hume will help plug a hole at right-back that has been apparent all season. Lee Johnson has had to field Carl Winchester and Bailey Wright at right-back because of a lack of natural options in the position.

Hume will go straight into Sunderland’s senior set-up, and is available to make his debut in Saturday’s League One game at Wycombe Wanderers if selected as part of the squad.

“We have been tracking Trai since the summer window and we are delighted to welcome him to Sunderland,” said Johnson.

“We are looking forward to working with him and seeing how he adapts to English football and the challenges of League One, as well as having a good calibre of player around him.

“We have to give him time, but we also have to push him as hard as we can to integrate him within the first team as soon as possible.”