SUNDERLAND have agreed a new deal with defender Trai Hume that extends his commitment to the Stadium of Light by another two years.

Hume’s new contract, which is a reward for his excellent displays in the second half of last season, runs to the summer of 2027, with the Black Cats also having the option of extending it by a further year.

The 21-year-old follows midfielder Dan Neil in signing a new deal at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland’s determination to extend the length of his previous contract reflecting their desire to tie up as many of their best young players as possible to long-term agreements.

“I am over the moon to sign a new deal,” said Hume, who was named in the Northern Ireland squad for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers earlier today. “After the season we all had as a team, I felt like being offered a new deal is a good sign from the staff that they want to keep me here.

“I'm still young and I'm certainly looking to play games. Hopefully we can have another good season but there is lots of work over the summer.”

Hume, who played at both right-back and centre-half last season, made the switch to Wearside in January 2022 from Northern Irish Premiership side Linfield.

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He was part of the squad that won promotion from League One just over a year ago, but was a fairly peripheral figure under former boss Alex Neil.

His fortunes have been transformed under Tony Mowbray, who made him a mainstay of Sunderland’s first-choice starting side in the second half of last season as the Black Cats claimed a sixth-place finish in the Championship.

Hume claimed back-to-back assists over the festive period, scored his first Sunderland goal in April’s 2-1 win over Birmingham City, and finished the campaign with 34 senior appearances to his name.

“Trai was very patient in his first 12 months and worked tirelessly to refine his game,” said Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman. “Since the new year, he’s gone from strength to strength, grown in confidence and his performances merit an improved and extended contract.

“He’s a great example of what’s possible at Sunderland AFC for young players and we are all really pleased for him and naturally pleased for ourselves that he’s committing to the club.”