Sunderland forward Timur Tutierov has continued a promising pre-season, finding the net in successive friendlies including a visit to York City and during Sunderland’s recent match against Liverpool on their United States tour.
Early progress and loan form
The 21-year-old Ukraine Under-21 international returned to Wearside after a second-half season loan at Exeter City where he made an impression. In 17 appearances for the Grecians across all competitions he recorded three goals and one assist, performances that helped earn him opportunities with Sunderland’s first-team group this summer.
New contract and first-team involvement
Tutierov’s work over the past season was rewarded when he signed a new deal that will keep him at Sunderland until summer 2028. He has spent the early weeks of pre-season training with Regis Le Bris’ first-team squad and was involved in the club’s three-game tour of the United States following domestic friendlies.
Goals at York and against Liverpool
During the warm-up fixtures Tutierov made an impact at League Two newcomers York City, and he followed that by scoring in Sunderland’s 4-2 defeat to Premier League side Liverpool. The game featured a moment of brilliance from Enzo Le Fée which brought the Black Cats level after Kieran Morrison had given the Reds the lead, before Tutierov put Sunderland ahead.
"I am so proud for myself and so proud for the lads. We had a great opportunity to play against unbelievable players like (Dominik Szoboszlai). It’s a big experience for me and for them as well. I am so happy about that, it can not be better."
Despite Tutierov’s contribution, Liverpool responded through Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas to claim the win.
- Player: Timur Tutierov — 21, Ukraine Under-21 international
- Loan form (Exeter): 17 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist
- Contract: signed until summer 2028
| Fixture | Result | Notable contribution |
|---|---|---|
| York City (pre-season) | Win for Sunderland | Tutierov scored |
| Liverpool (US tour) | 4-2 to Liverpool | Tutierov scored to put Sunderland ahead |
For York supporters who travelled to the friendly, the encounter offered an early-season chance to see a highly rated Sunderland prospect in action, while for Tutierov the matches have provided exposure to higher-calibre opponents and a platform to press his case for more first-team minutes as the new season approaches.
With a new contract in place and consecutive goals in pre-season, the forward will be hoping to maintain his form through the remainder of Sunderland’s preparations for 2026-27.
