A former Sunderland academy player has credited his decision to leave the club as the defining moment in his path to international football. Henry Fieldson, now a 21-year-old defender with Scotland's Under-21s, says staying at the Stadium of Light would have stalled his career.

Fieldson turned down a new contract with Sunderland in the summer of 2024, opting instead for a move to Queen's Park before a six-figure transfer to St Mirren this past June. He made his Scotland U21 debut in a 5-2 win over Azerbaijan on Wednesday, a cap he directly attributes to his choice to seek first-team football away from Wearside.

Academy football 'false'

"I'd encourage anyone to do that. It's the best thing you can do as a young player," Fieldson said of leaving a Category One academy. "Academy football can be false, in the sense that there is no real reason to win." He was 19 when he made the move, believing he had reached his development limit within Sunderland's youth setup. "I put a lot of emphasis on my years at Queen's Park and the position I'm in now." he added.

The left-back, who often plays in a back three, matured by moving away from home and quickly became a regular at St Mirren, where the club sits in the top half of the Scottish Championship. His form there, following a strong impression at Queen's Park, attracted attention from several Premiership and EFL sides before his first international call-up from coach Craig McLeish.

New style with Scotland

Fieldson is excited by the attacking philosophy of new Scotland U21 head coach Tony Docherty, which he says suits his game. He describes the style as "fun football" that allows creative players to express themselves on the ball, akin to playing in a backyard, and prefers it to a purely transitional game.

While respectful of his formative years at Sunderland, Fieldson's comments highlight a pathway for young players seeking immediate senior action. His career move contrasts with the current focus at his former club, where the first team is handling a challenging Premier League season. Sunderland sit 14th in the standings with four points from five games, having conceded 10 goals, and face a tough next fixture against third-placed Brighton at home.

The defender, who jokes he looks younger than his 21 years, is simply happy to represent his country. His journey from Sunderland's academy to international recognition shows a modern career path, concluding with his club St Mirren hoping their positive league position continues long into the season.

Read the full report at The Scotsman Football