Pickford thrilled to be one of Sunderland’s new kids on the block

Jordan Pickford ticked another box in his fledgling career by marking his first appearance at the Stadium of Light – and the Sunderland goalkeeper is excited to be a part of the next generation set to star in the north east.

Despite having appeared against the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham last year, Pickford had yet to appear competitively at the stadium he had spent so much time at as a youngster.

But the 22-year-old crowned his home debut with a clean sheet in the 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury, as part of a young Sunderland side featuring many of the players he grew up with.

Pickford is at the front of the queue – he was a rock on loan at Preston in the Championship last year – just behind winger Duncan Watmore, who enjoyed a breakthrough season last year.

 (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

And Pickford believes he and the other young Black Cats can kick on from here.

“It’s a dream for us to come and play in the Stadium of Light, as a young lad I came to the games all the time and I’ve finally achieved it myself,” he said.

“Ethan (Robson) on the bench, I went to the same school with him, and I’ve grown up with George (Honeyman) and Duncan (Watmore) – it’s really good to play and develop with them.

“It was a great moment and a good result as well – I’m really happy to get my first clean sheet from four games. The other games I’ve played in were tough, but it was a good test out there.

“It’s really good for us lads to reach the next round of the cup and get to play another good team.”