Exclusive:Sunderland on verge of EFL transfer breakthrough under Kristjaan Speakman – deal all but done..
Sunderland are closing in on the signing of Lincoln City goalkeeper Isaac Allan, with the teenager’s move to Wearside now understood to be all but complete, The Echo can reveal.
The 18-year-old was first linked with a move to the Academy of Light in April, when The Echo reported that he had spent time on trial with the club. That interest has now progressed significantly, and while Sunderland have yet to formally announce the deal, sources have indicated that the player will join the ranks at the Academy of Light under bosses Robin Nicholls and Kristjaan Speakman.
Originally from the Isle of Man, Allan’s rise through the ranks at Lincoln City has been impressive. He joined the Imps as a scholar after a non-traditional route into academy football. With limited infrastructure available on the island, Allan attended UK Football Trials to gain exposure. It was there that he caught the eye of multiple clubs, earning opportunities with both Sheffield United and Lincoln. The latter offered him a pathway into the professional game.
Allan has spent the past three years progressing through the system at Lincoln’s LNER Stadium, becoming a regular in the club’s under-18s and featuring in several FA Youth Cup campaigns. His development also earned him recognition at senior level – he was named on the bench for two League One fixtures last season, including a game against Bristol Rovers.
Sunderland brought Allan in for a trial earlier this year, with the young stopper training under Fin Lynch and Jordan Moore as part of the club’s under-18 setup. His work while at the Academy of Light is understood to have impressed the coaching staff, prompting the club to pursue a permanent deal.
It is believed that Allan was likely offered professional terms to remain at Lincoln. As a result, Sunderland will either need to agree a fee with the Imps or the transfer will be settled via a tribunal, with compensation required for developing players under the age of 24. If finalised as looks highly likely at this stage, Allan would become one of the latest additions to Sunderland’s youth ranks as the club continues to invest in promising talent from across the United Kingdom, Ireland and further afield.
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