Gooch dropped back into a fairly unfamiliar right back role in a back four in the play-offs, but looked the part alongside Bailey Wright, Danny Batth and Dennis Cirkin.

If Carl Winchester had not picked up an injury in the final month of the season, Gooch may have struggled to get onto the bench for the crunch encounters, but he stepped up admirably and will be hoping to make his mark on the second tier next term.

Leon Dajaku has been the only addition in the window so far, at this stage suggesting that Gooch will remain a key part of the Neil's first team plans.

The Verdict

 

 

It would have been a shame to see Gooch depart Wearside after finally helping the Black Cats climb out of League One.

The 26-year-old may not earn as many starts in the second tier than if he stayed in the third tier next season, but that is not to say that he will not be a very useful player for Neil to call on over the course of the campaign.

Momentum is building in the North East, with the leap from the third tier feeling like a huge hurdle overcome by the club, Neil has won promotion from the Championship before in the past, and will be expecting to stabilise with ease next term.

It will be interesting to see if Gooch receives more recognition for the USA men's national team for playing at a higher level.