Michael Ledger
Michael Ledger is an English footballer who plays as a centre-back for Pitching Inn Northern Premier League Division One East club Consett A.F.C. He has previously played for Sunderland, Notodden, Queen of the South, Greenock Morton, and Spennymoor Town, and on loan at Viking and Hartlepool United.
Career
Sunderland
Born in Consett, Ledger joined the Sunderland Academy at the age of seven. After progressing through the youth system at Sunderland, Ledger was captain for the under-18 team and his impressive displays resulted in him signing his first professional contract. Soon after that he was promoted to the development squad in June 2015.Whilst progressing through the development squad at Sunderland, Ledger started to feature during the 2016-17 season, as he played on four occasions in the EFL Trophy campaign. On 2 January 2017, Ledger was called up to the first-team squad for the first time, although he was an unused substitute in the 2–2 draw versus Liverpool. After his loan spell with Viking ended, Ledger signed a full-time contract with the Black Cats in June 2017.
Loan Spells
In November 2016, Ledger was sent out on loan to Norwegian club Viking until their close season in February 2017 and debuted for the club on 3 April 2017, in a 1–0 defeat away to Vålerenga. He then claimed an assist for Samuel Adegbenro in a 4–2 defeat versus Strømsgodset on 29 May 2017. During his time at the club Ledger started in every match for Viking, with his final appearance coming on 18 June 2017, in a 1–0 defeat against Lillestrøm.Despite interest from clubs in the Bundesliga, Ledger was loaned out to Hartlepool United on 31 August 2017, until the end of the season, debuting in a 3–1 win versus Maidstone United on 14 September 2017. After suffering an injury set-back in late September 2017, Ledger remained in the first-team, despite competition from other squad players.