Sunderland striker Connor Shields has agreed a deal to join National League side Aldershot Town on a free transfer, according to Football Insider.

The 21-year-old forward has never made a senior appearance for Sunderland and will become a free agent when his contract at the Stadium of Light expires at the end of this month.

Shields spent last season on loan at Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Championship, where he scored three goals in 29 league appearances.

Aldershot moved quickly to sign the forward, as they look to build a team who can challenge in the National League next season.

Sunderland manager Jack Ross will be looking to improve his squad this summer, after his side just missed out on promotion to the Championship last season.

After spending most of the season challenging for automatic promotion, Sunderland eventually finished fifth in the table, before losing to Charlton Athletic in the League One play-off final at Wembley.

The Verdict

Shields is a decent young player and he could be a great signing for Aldershot.

He didn't really get a chance to make an impact at Sunderland and it's highly unlikely that he's going to get an opportunity in the first-team at the Stadium of Light next season, so it makes sense for him to leave the club and perhaps Aldershot could be a good move for him.

The striker will have benefited from his loan spell in the Scottish Championship and will hopefully be able to make an impact in the National League next season.