'Incredible signing' - Middlesbrough FC confirm permanent move to South Shields for Wrexham-linked Sonny Finch
Middlesbrough have allowed former England Under-18s international Sonny Finch to join South Shields on a permanent basis.
Finch is a product of Middlesbrough’s academy and made six senior appearances for the club.
He had been tipped for a bright future at the Riverside and the forward has England youth caps on his CV.
However, having struggled to establish himself in the club’s senior set-up, Finch is starting over in the sixth tier of English football.
Sonny Finch seals move
Finch has scored six goals across 14 appearances in the National League North for South Shields, who have turned his loan deal permanent.
The former Milton Keynes Dons loanee has penend a two-and-half-year deal with the Mariners, who sit second in the table.
South Shields boss Ian Watson said: “We’re delighted to bring Sonny into the football club on a permanent basis. He’s a player with real quality and potential, which he has demonstrated during his time here.
“This is an incredible signing for the football club and shows the ambition we have here.
“We’re all working as hard as we can to make South Shields FC the best football club it can be. Sonny wanting to sign here is a credit to the players and the culture they have created for players to really want to be part of what we’re building.”
Ex-Middlesbrough man’s delight
Finch was only recently linked with Championship outfit Wrexham, who were said to be keen on strengthening their pool of young players.
However, the Red Dragons will now have to prise him from the grip of South Shields if they do want the 20-year-old on board.
Finch said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get this done. I’ve really enjoyed my time here over the last few months, so making it permanent was an easy decision for me.”
“From the moment I arrived, I felt at home. The lads, the staff and the fans have all been brilliant with me, and that made me want to stay.
“It’s a great club with real ambition, and I’m excited to be part of what we’re building here. I feel like I’ve developed a lot already during my time here, and I know there’s still more to come from me.”
“I just want to keep working hard, contributing to the team, and hopefully we can achieve something special together. I can’t wait to get back out there and continue where we left off.”