Trai Hume: Sunderland sign Northern Ireland Under-21 international from Linfield

Hume has made nine appearances for Northern Ireland Under-21s

Sunderland have signed Northern Ireland Under-21 international Trai Hume from Linfield for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £200,000.

The 19-year-old defender has caught the eye of multiple clubs in England and Scotland following impressive displays for the Irish Premiership champions.

Hume has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract on Wearside with a club option of a further year.

He is available for selection for Saturday's trip to Wycombe Wanderers.

Michael O'Neill's Stoke made a late push to sign the teenager, who had also attracted interest from Lincoln City and Celtic during the summer window.

"It feels amazing to be here at this massive club and I can't wait to get out there in front of the fans with my new team-mates," Hume said.

"I came to the Sheffield Wednesday match and it was absolutely bouncing - I loved every second of it.

"I've played over 50 games in the Irish league and I think that will help me settle in, but this is the right time for me to test myself in a new environment and this is the right club. Sunderland are aiming for bigger and better things and I can't wait to get going."

Hume, who spent last season on loan at Ballymena United, has become a virtual ever-present under manager David Healy this campaign, scoring twice and excelling at right back.

He will join compatriots Corry Evans, Tom Flanagan and Carl Winchester at the Stadium of Light as the Black Cats push for promotion to the Championship.

Sunderland boss Lee Johnson said: "We have been tracking Trai since the summer window and we are delighted to welcome him to Sunderland AFC.

"We are looking forward to working with him and seeing how he adapts to English football and the challenges of League One, as well as having a good calibre of player around him.

"We have to give him time, but we also have to push him as hard as we can to integrate him within the first team as soon as possible."

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