SUNDERLAND are flying in highly-rated Australian goalkeeping prospect Robert Cook for talks next month.
Cook, 17, can move immediately as he carries a British passport and the Perth Glory pup is desperate to come to the land of his dad and make his mark.
The Black Cats will move out former Manchester United youngster Nathan Bishop, 24, to make room for the youngster who is rated as one of the best talents down under.
Meanwhile, Bishop joined from the Red Devils last summer but couldn’t unseat first-choice Patterson making just one league appearance during his first season on Wearside.
He signed for United in January 2020 for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year contract from Southend United.
But made zero appearances in the senior squad and spent a season on loan at Mansfield in the 2021-22 campaign.
And in 2023 he made a move to the Stadium of Light where he made just two appearances across the term.
Sunderland have also recruited veteran Simon Moore on a free to bolster their options.
The 34-year-old has played for the likes of Brentford, Cardiff, Sheffield United and Coventry.
And one of the highlights of his career was leading Sheffield to Championship promotion in the 2016-17 season.
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Moore’s most recent club Coventry released the shot-stopper after his contract expired this summer.
And Sunderland have signed him on a two-year deal with the option for a further season.
The former Isle of Wight international has made over 288 appearances in his senior career.
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