Former Sunderland academy captain Ellis Taylor has secured a permanent move in the Football League with Harrogate Town following his Stadium of Light exit.
After over a decade-long journey with Sunderland, Taylor's time with the club came to an end this summer after it was confirmed the 21-year-old would not be receiving a contract extension and, instead, would be one of 11 academy graduates to leave at the end of the season.
Taylor spearheaded Sunderland’s academy side to incredible success in the reformatted Premier League 2 last season as he looked to get his young career back on track following an unsuccessful loan to boyhood club Hartlepool United in 2022. Taylor captained Sunderland's under-21s to a seventh-placed finish in Premier League 2 before then leading Graeme Murty's young side out in the play-off final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May.
But after making over 70 appearances across Sunderland’s under-18s, under-21s and senior first team squad during his time with the club, including his debut in the League Cup against Port Vale in 2021, Taylor will start the 2024-25 campaign anew after completing a move to League Two with Harrogate.
READ MORE: Graeme Murty shares 'glowing endorsement' for academy captain Ellis Taylor
Taylor agreed a two-year deal at Wetherby Road after impressing during a trial period which included a goal in Harrogate's pre-season defeat to Huddersfield Town, where he will get another shot at establishing himself in the Football League.
"We watched Ellis a few times last season for Sunderland U21s and he impressed us," Harrogate's head of recruitment Lloyd Kerry explained. "We got the opportunity to bring him in to have a closer look. As early as after the first training session we were really impressed with him and it confirmed our thoughts on him really.
“He’s an exciting player, can play off both feet, likes to make things happen and it feels like a good fit for us. At 21-years-old he’s at an age where he wants to go out and forge a career in the Football League.
“He impressed us against Huddersfield, scored his goal and got in great areas, when he got the ball he tried to make things happen. He’s very versatile, he can play left wing, right wing and at wing-back, so we’re delighted to have him here.”
Taylor becomes the latest Sunderland academy graduate to complete a move to the Football League after Michael Spellman recently agreed a two-year deal with Newport County.
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