Lynch Joins Black Cats

Lynch Leaves
By Chris O'Brien
July 15 2004

Manchester United defender Mark Lynch has left Old Trafford and headed for the North East to further his career. The 22-year-old has signed a three-year deal with Sunderland, joining the Black Cats on a free transfer.

First Division outfit Sunderland have signed Mark Lynch from Manchester United on a free transfer, with the defender signing a three-year contract with the Black Cats.

Lynch was always highly-rated during his teenage years and was expected to be a first-team regular at Old Trafford for years to come. However, despite playing a Champions League game for United, he has failed to break into the senior set-up on regular occasions and reached a personal decision that it was best to leave his hometown club to further his football career.

"It's always a wrench to leave a club like United but I thought the time was right and the gaffer said it was okay for me to move on," said Lynch.

"There was other interest but I wanted to sign for Sunderland.

"It's a great club and, as soon as I spoke to Mick McCarthy, I was impressed."

Big name signings and mass competition always kept Lynch out of contention for a place in United's backline, and towards the end of 2001 he was sent to St. Johnstone to gain valuable first-team experience in Scotland. The defender was a regular in the reserve team last season, but with more defenders joining the club over the summer another season of frustration was on the cards for the 22-year-old.

Good luck to Lynch at the Stadium of Light.