Born on this day is young midfielder Dan Neil. The boyhood Sunderland fan has broken into the first team this season, and has already captained the senior side.
After captaining Sunderland’s under-23s, Neil’s debut came in injury time in a 1-0 win over Swindon Town last season. However, his first start in the league didn’t come until the opening day of this season, where he filled in at left back!
Neil’s first League One goal for the club came at home to Accrington Stanley, where he fired in a long-range effort from outside of the box, before running over the corner of the Stadium where he used to sit as a youngster.
Although he’s just got one league goal, Neil is top of Sunderland’s assist table, setting up six goals so far this campaign. He has been one of Sunderland’s most consistent performers, and even earned a call-up to England’s Under-20 squad earlier this month. The midfielder has claimed to model his game around former Sunderland midfielders, looking up to Lee Cattermole in particular.
