Marco Gabbiadini was quick to react to the departure of stalwart Lynden Gooch.

Sunderland icon Marco Gabbiadini reacted quickly to the departure of stalwart Lynden Gooch on deadline day.

On the final day of the transfer window, the American concluded a 17-year affiliation with Sunderland by joining Alex Neil’s Stoke City.

Gooch’s contract was about to expire after a year, and an extension looked doubtful. Sunderland are said to have paid about seven figures for the utility guy, who was a fan favorite on Wearside.

Gooch, who had been at Sunderland since he was ten years old, said he couldn’t wait to return and support the club one day, and he sent multiple tearful farewell to fans.

When Gooch’s departure was officially announced, Sunderland icon Gabbiadini was eager to honor him.

You did yourself and your family proud. I, along with many others, will miss your dedication and perseverance, which you always displayed with a smile. After the move was officially announced, Gabbiadini posted on social media, “Good luck in your next challenge.”

speculating on the next three Sunderland AFC wonderkids to make the team

The Stadium of Light’s emerging prospects, according to FLW, could soon make the first team.

Numerous accolades have been given to Sunderland’s youth program and the road that has been prepared to the first squad.

Additionally, it has produced numerous success tales, with players like Anthony Patterson, Elliot Embleton, and Daniel Neil all graduating and shining in the senior setup recently, adding to a strong young core created by renewed progressive ownership at the very top.

Since the Mackems have a long-term mindset and had the youngest team in the Championship last season, you can anticipate more high-potential players to make greater strides down the road.

Who are they, though?

That question is answered by FLW, who identified three Sunderland wonderkids who could soon make an impact in the first team.

Chris Rigg

Rigg is undoubtedly the first name on our list because, at his age, he is one of the nation’s top athletes and seems to be headed for a bright future in the sport.

Rigg, the club’s youngest league debutant ever, turned 16 in June but has already made four appearances for Tony Mowbray’s team. He even made his professional debut during an EFL Cup match against Crewe Alexandra earlier this month.

Because of Rigg’s talent and maturity, Mowbray even forgets that the midfielder is actually rather young since he performs well beyond his years.

The Mackems manager said of Chris Rigg after the Crewe game: “I think Chris Rigg belies his age a little bit.

I sometimes have to remind myself that he is a 16-year-old boy because I may be fairly harsh with him.

He exercised discipline in his play (versus Crewe). When I requested him to play deeper in the first half, he did so. Later, when I suggested at halftime that he leave the six position and start breaking into the box because we were so dominant, he did so and scored.

It demonstrates to me that he absorbs information and has a desire to succeed. He plays fantastic football and, in my opinion, has a bright career ahead of him.

Make no mistake: Rigg is a major prospect who will undoubtedly contribute to Sunderland’s success as the season progresses. Their main challenge will be keeping hold of him.

Tom Watson

Over the past year or so, Prodigy Tom Watson has also been a growing talent on Wearside.

The 16-year-old winger’s window of opportunity within the first team fold was purportedly being considered by Mowbray back in March, according to a report in The Sun. While that platform has not yet materialized, save for a brief cameo against Huddersfield Town, there is a good chance that it will if he keeps up his blitzing performances at the academy level.

In the prior season, Watson scored five goals and provided six assists in just 13 appearances in the U18 Premier League. In the Premier League 2, Watson had a similarly excellent performance, tallying two goals and providing three assists from seven games.

Unfazed by the improvement there, Watson could be able to adjust to a greater improvement throughout the course of this season.

Jake Waters

The management at Sunderland is also pleased with how 17-year-old striker Jake Waters is developing after he committed to a three-year professional contract during the summer.

It was properly earned following an incredible breakout season with the club’s u18 system that saw him strike the back of the net on 13 occasions and contribute a further six assists from 24 matches, registering as one of the country’s leading scorers in that age group.

It won’t be long until Mowbray gives him the opportunity to prove his value, as he played a critical part in enabling Sunderland’s U18 team finish second in the table behind the powerhouse Manchester City.