Photo: Sunderland AFC

Ashington AFC are pleased to confirm the signing of Ben Metcalf, who joins the club on a short-term youth loan from Sunderland AFC.

The 18-year-old goalkeeper arrives at Woodhorn Lane after progressing through the ranks at Sunderland, where his professionalism and consistency were recently rewarded with his first professional contract.

Metcalf made 20 appearances in the U18 Premier League last season for the Black Cats, establishing himself as a reliable presence and continuing his development within a high-performance academy environment. The move to Ashington provides an important opportunity for him to experience senior football and further accelerate his growth.

At international level, Metcalf is a Northern Ireland youth international. He was selected for the Northern Ireland U19 squad for UEFA European Championship qualifiers against Denmark, Israel and Albania in November, having previously represented his country at U17 level in 2022. His international involvement reflects the strong potential identified in his development.

Manager Marc Ellison welcomed the addition, saying:
“We’re delighted to bring Ben into the group. He’s a talented young goalkeeper with excellent habits and a strong mentality. His academy experience at Sunderland and exposure to international football make him an exciting addition, and we’re looking forward to supporting his development.”

We would like to place on record our thanks to Sunderland AFC. The loan highlights the positive working relationship between Ashington AFC and Sunderland AFC, with both clubs committed to providing meaningful first-team opportunities for emerging players.

Everyone at Ashington AFC would like to welcome Ben to the club and wish him every success during his time with us.