Exclusive: Sunderland fend off transfer interest from Wolves and Everton to retain starlets

It has been quite a couple of weeks for Sunderland goalkeeper Matthew Young.

The 16-year-old signed a two-year scholarship at the Black Cats last week alongside the likes of Chris Rigg, Ben Metcalf and Trey Ogunsuyi amongst others.

Fast forward a couple of days and Young has jetted out to America with Sunderland's 26-man pre-season first-team squad under head coach Tony Mowbray after the departure of Alex Bass and Adam Richardson's unfortunate injury.

The Echo understands that Young had serious interest in him from Wolves before committing to Sunderland for the next two years.

Another highly-rated youngster, Dan Parker, also had interest from the top-flight in the form of Everton, according to sources, but has remained at the Academy of Light alongside his scholarship peers.

And whilst young goalkeeper Toby Bell has been poached by Chelsea, Rigg has been persuaded to stay despite Newcastle's efforts with Metcalf and Ogunsuyi staying put amid interest from Liverpool, Leeds and others, as reported by The Echo earlier today.