Jordan Pickford

Pickford joined Sunderland's Academy at the age of eight and progressed through the age groups before signing two-year scholarship terms in 2010. [ 14 ] The following year, he was promoted from the Academy to the reserve team. [ 15 ] In 2011, Pickford signed his first professional contract with the club. [ 16 ] The following year, he signed a contract extension with the club. [ 17 ] Pickford signed on loan for Conference Premier club Darlington in time to make his debut against Fleetwood Town on 21 January 2012, playing the whole of a 1–0 home loss. [ 18 ] [ 19 ] The initial month-long loan was subsequently extended until the end of April. [ 20 ] He went on to make 17 appearances for Darlington, [ 21 ] who were relegated. [ 22 ] On 25 February 2013, Pickford signed for Conference Premier club Alfreton Town , again on an initial month-long loan [ 23 ] and was a cover for Phil Barnes , who was injured. [ 24 ] He made his debut the next day in a 5–1 win over Hyde United . [ 25 ] His loan spell at the club was subsequently extended until the end of the season. [ 26 ] During this spell, Pickford kept 5 clean sheets in 12 matches. [ 27 ] On 2 August 2013, Pickford signed another loan deal, this time with League Two club Burton Albion, [ 27 ] and made his debut the next day against Cheltenham Town . [ 28 ] However, his loan ended on 17 August, after Sunderland recalled him with Pickford featuring just three times for Burton. [ 29 ] [ 30 ] On 13 September, Pickford re-joined Burton on loan. [ 31 ] His handful of first-team appearances at Burton Albion led to an extension of his loan spell for another month. [ 32 ] After making 13 appearances across his two loan spells, Pickford was recalled by his parent club once again. [ 33 ] He subsequently spent 11 matches as an unused substitute on the bench as a cover for Vito Mannone between 23 November 2013 and 18 January 2014. [ 34 ] Although it was rumoured that he could return on loan to Burton for the third time, [ 35 ] Pickford — Wikipedia