On deadline day, Sunderland signed teenage winger Rhys Walsh from Glentoran; we were interested in learning more about him.
A new signing for Sunderland According to Sunderland Nation, Rhys Walsh is a “fearless wide player” who will not be intimidated by anyone.
The 17-year-old, who surprised everyone by joining from Northern Irish club Glentoran on deadline day, will now be brought up quickly in the Black Cats’ under-21 lineup.
Fans had to compete with other Championship clubs to sign Walsh since he was a highly sought-after player. However, what can they anticipate from him on the field?
“He’s a wide player, fearlessly plays on the front foot likes to stand players up and beat them,” Walsh’s agent Lee Mudd exclusively told Sunderland Nation.
“He has an art of being able to go either side using both feet – has been involved at senior level and thrived.”
Additionally, Mudd is the agent of Sunderland fullback Trai Hume, who joined Wearside in January 2022 after moving from Linfield and has since become a major success.
His robust, no-nonsense mindset is one of the reasons Hume has impressed so much at Sunderland and has already caught the attention of several elite clubs.
Mudd also perceives that mentality in Walsh, which is quite encouraging for his prospects of pursuing the path Hume has forged on Wearside.
His arrival serves as more proof of Sunderland’s growing appeal to young players as a result of their dedication to nurturing talent.
“[Walsh] is a shy child, but when he plays, he’s brave. No one will overawe him, for sure.
“He had choices, but Sunderland’s philosophy of playing young players appealed to him.”
Walsh is joining a team that has a storied history of Northern Irish players in Sunderland. Sunderland had players like Phil Gray, Jimmy Nicholl, George McCartney, and Jonny Evans, among others.
Aside from the game, Belfast and Sunderland have a long history together because of shipbuilding.
Billy Bingham, a legendary player from Northern Ireland, moved from Glentoran to Sunderland and only signed with the Black Cats because they would let him finish his shipbuilding apprenticeship he began in Belfast’s shipyards. This legacy continued into football.
Bingham, also a winger, signed for Sunderland from Glentoran when he was just a teenager and he went on to make more than 200 appearances for the club. When he eventually lost his place, another winger was signed from Glentoran, Amby Fogarty, to replace him.
“I have mixed feelings about losing Rhys as obviously he’s a player who I know would have gone on to do great things for Glentoran as he was already becoming a big favourite here,” Glentoran manager Warren Feeney said.
On the other hand, Rhys has a fantastic opportunity as he joins a large team that has a strong reputation for fostering young players’ development and providing them with opportunities.
“Rhys is a strong and diligent young man in addition to being an entertaining player who has the ability to elevate a game with his skill and directness. He’ll take advantage of the chance and excel there, I’m sure.”
Walsh is therefore continuing a long line of impressive predecessors, and the Northern Irish impact is undoubtedly rising with the inclusion of Jonny Evans’ younger brother Corry Evans, Dan Ballard, and Trai Hume in the Sunderland team.
