Blyth Spartans bring in Sam Brotherton

National League North side Blyth Spartans have completed the signing of New Zealand international defender Sam Brotherton on a season long loan deal from Sunderland.
The 21-year-old follows Aaron Cunningham through the entrance door at Croft Park to become the second central-defender to join Blyth on loan this week.
Brotherton joined Sunderland in February of last year after spending a number of years playing for the college soccer team at the University of Wisconsin.
The defender has picked up 10 international caps for the New Zealand international side to date and came close to representing the All Whites at this summer's World Cup before the team were knocked out of contention after falling to a 2-0 defeat against Peru at the play-off stage.
Speaking to the club's official website, the new Blyth signing said, “I like a battle and a challenge, the fans can expect me to be vocal at the back and look to lead by example.”