Sunderland permits academy defender to sign a loan agreement with National League Hartlepool United.

Zak Johnson has signed a month-long contract to play for Hartlepool United.

Young defender Zak Johnson from Sunderland has been loaned to Hartlepool United of the National League. The 18-year-old was granted permission to join Pools on a one-month agreement in order to acquire first-team experience. He previously signed a new three-year contract with the Black Cats earlier this month, keeping him at the club through the summer of 2026.

 

Johnson will still be able to participate in Sunderland’s U21 team’s Premier League 2 season thanks to the loan deal. The director of Sunderland’s academy, Robin Nicholls, said: “This move gives Zak a great chance to advance his development.

He’s had a really good few seasons, and he can carry that momentum over to Hartlepool. The National League offers outstanding football, and Zak must now overcome the difficulty of breaking into a team that is near the top of the competition.

Johnson made his first senior start this season in the Carabao Cup first round match against Crewe Alexandra, which the Black Cats drew 1-1 before being eliminated on penalties. Johnson made his senior debut for Sunderland at the age of 16 as a substitute in the EFL Trophy win against Manchester United U21s at the Stadium of Light in October 2021 while he was still a first-year scholar. In the Black Cats’ Championship victory at Birmingham City last year, he was listed on the Black Cats’ bench but did not enter the game.

 

He has been a consistent member of Sunderland’s U21 squad for the past two seasons.