Explained: What Sunderland's contract call tells us about their goalkeeping plans and what happens next

A new two-year deal for Anthony Patterson, with the option of a third.

In announcing the deal, Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman had this revealing comment: "We are really happy to have this in place for the start of the season.

"He returns later this month as a member of the first-team squad and he has a great opportunity to progress with us.”

Patterson has long been a highly-rated player behind the scenes but his performances over the course of the 2020/21 campaign underlined his potential.

So much so, that the club committed to a new, improved deal even though an option to extend his previous contract had already been activated.

Patterson had made a positive impression on Lee Johnson at Oldham Athletic last December, the head coach noting that his command of the box was superior to what you would expect of a goalkeeper of his age.