Sunderland have been dealt their latest blow by a player choosing to join non-league South Shields instead of the League One Black Cats.
Former PSV Eindhoven academy graduate Wouter Verstraaten had been given an offer to join Sunderland's Under-23s after impressing on trial in a game against Liverpool, but he has snubbed them.
He played 14 times for the club before the coronavirus pandemic suspended football and Sunderland were keen on bringing him into their set-up.
It is the latest blow for the beleaguered north east club, who are currently in League One
But the north east club have been left red faced with Verstraaten, who can play across defence or in midfield, choosing South Shields instead.