Liverpool FC Roker Report understand that Sunderland are on the verge of signing Canada international forward Liam Millar from Liverpool on a permanent basis. The 18-year old will join Elliott Dickman’s U23s squad ahead of next season. Sunderland have already added former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Hunter and ex-Everton Jack Bainbridge to their U23s side this summer and are looking to recruit further from top academies in a bid to nurture talents that perhaps haven’t been given a chance to shine at their previous clubs. Millar comes very highly rated from Merseyside and made his international debut for Canada earlier this year in a game against New Zealand - in which he faced off with Sunderland defender Sam Brotherton. He spent three years with Fulham before moving to Liverpool, and has been involved heavily at youth level for his country over the years. The Toronto native is traditionally a number nine but can also play off the left-hand side, the position he started in when making his first appearance for the Canadian senior side in March. Having an academy with category one status – the highest ranking an English club can have – but a first-team playing in League One offers unique opportunities for player development, and it is part of new owner Stewart Donald’s strategy for the club to play on that for as long as it lasts (just one season, he hopes), to lure talented youngsters to the club.
