Sunderland have turned down the opportunity to sign Joy Mukena following the end of his trial period.

The 20-year-old is spent time at Stadium Of Light as he looked to secure a permanent contract with the League One club.

According to the Sunderland Echo, the defender featured for the Black Cats' U23 in their clash against Stoke City on Monday night.

Mukena started his career in the academy set-up at Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Watford in 2017.

However the youngster was released from the Hornets over the summer and is now a free agent looking for a club.

Sunderland cast their eye over the defender, but according to the Shields Gazette, it's not a move that the Black Cats will pursue.

Instead the report suggests that the club will look at other targets.

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The verdict

While the signing of Joy Mukena is not on the cards, it's encouraging to see Sunderland being proactive in the transfer market.

The Black Cats need to strengthen over the next month or so and so it's important to cast their net wide in order to sign the best talent available in the transfer market.

Phil Parkinson will be judged on this transfer window and so it's crucial that the League One side get things right.