Sunderland have signed teenage striker Duncan Watmore from non-league side Altrincham. The 19-year-old will link up with the Black Cats' U21 side from July 1. Watmore featured regularly for Altrincham in the Conference North last season and scored 14 goals in 29 starts. Academy manager Ged McNamee told Sunderland's official website: "We are pleased to welcome Duncan to the club and wish him the best of luck."
[video=youtube;wructNlI4jc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wructNlI4jc[/video] tekkers
DUNCAN JOINS THE BLACK CATS Altrincham FC has issued the following press release today... "Sunderland AFC and Altrincham FC are pleased to announce that they have agreed terms for the transfer of Duncan Watmore (left) this afternoon for an undisclosed fee. Altrincham chairman Grahame Rowley stated 'Duncan has progressed extremely well this season courting a lot of attention from numerous league clubs. The opportunity for Duncan to play at a Premier League club was too good a chance to pass up and negotiations between the clubs have been concluded satisfactorily on both sides. We all wish Duncan every success at Sunderland AFC” Altrincham manager Lee Sinnott added, 'We would all like to congratulate Duncan on securing a move to Sunderland AFC. He has been a popular member of the squad and Sunderland are acquiring a player with many years of development in him. It is a wonderful opportunity for him and we will watch his progress with interest.' Duncan said, 'I am delighted at the opportunity Sunderland have given me and excited by the move. They have one of the finest academies in England, and the Sunderland people have been very welcoming and professional throughout. I also want to put on record my thanks to Altrincham for giving me my chance and developing me. In particular, George Heslop brought me through the youth team, the manager Lee Sinnott has taught me so much, and the whole Club have supported me all the way. Whatever happens in the future I will always be an Alty fan." Footnote. 19 year-old Duncan helped Altrincham reach the Blue Square North play-offs and the FA Cup 1st round in 2012/13. He plays as a striker or attacking winger and scored 15 goals for the Club in 35 starts for the senior team. He was voted Player of the Season by the fans, and also scored the Altrincham goal of the season. He spent six years with the Manchester United academy, before coming through the Altrincham youth team. He is studying economics and finance at university and will continue to study for his degree whilst at Sunderland. His Sunderland contract runs from July 2013 to June 2015. Duncan follows in the footsteps of Kevin Ellison (to Leicester City) and Frank Carrodus (to Manchester City) in moving directly from Altrincham to the top-flight of English football.
Hopefully closer to the next SKP than Ryan Noble, good luck to him be interesting to see if he gets a runout pre-season.
