According to The Sunderland Echo, Middlesbrough have taken former Black Cats defender Alex Storey on trial following his release from the Stadium of Light this summer.
The 20-year old never had a chance to turn out for the first team at Sunderland, and was not offered a new contract. Ultimately, Middlesbrough have now offered Storey a trial, and he made his debut for the Teesside club in their 7-1 pre-season friendly win at Bishop Auckland on Saturday.
He can play at both centre-back and left-back, and will most likely join up with Boro’s under 23s set up if he is offered a deal. Jonathan Woodgate’s side could be seen as lacking in defence, especially with the sale of Aden Flint to Cardiff City last week.
This leaves just Dani Ayala, Dael Fry and 17-year old Nathan Wood as natural centre-backs at the club. However, George Friend and Ryan Shotton have been known to fill in at central defence when needed.
Storey played 12 times for Sunderland’s under 23s last season, starting just eight of those games. It is apparent Under 23 Lead Coach Elliot Dickman sees the defender as surplus to requirements and advised the club to not offer a new contract to the youngster.
But Sunderland’s loss could be Middlesbrough’s gain, with Storey impressing in his trial against Bishop Auckland last weekend, he could be offered another shot, but this time in the division above. With Boro’s defensive issues, his chance in the first team could come quicker than first expected.
