We’re delighted to announce the signing of forward Sonny Finch from South Shields for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year contract with the Mariners, becoming the latest addition to David Artell’s squad.
Hailing from Houghton-le-Spring, Finch joined the Middlesbrough Academy at Under-13 level and progressed through the club’s youth system before signing his first professional contract shortly after his 17th birthday in August 2022.
Having impressed during first-team pre-season training in Portugal, Finch made his senior debut later that month when he started Middlesbrough’s EFL Cup tie against Barnsley at the Riverside Stadium.
He went on to make six senior appearances for Boro and also featured for England at Under-17 and Under-18 level, making his U18 debut in a 2-1 victory over Croatia in March 2023.
Finch gained further senior experience during a season-long loan spell with MK Dons in 2024/25, making six appearances and scoring his first professional goal in a 5-1 victory away at Harrogate Town.
The forward joined South Shields in January 2026, initially on loan, before making the move permanent later that season.
He now makes the step up to the Mariners, with Town securing his services on a long-term deal.
Finch also has a family connection to the Mariners, with his uncle Jordan Cook having previously represented Town – making 49 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals, before leaving the club at the end of the 2019/20 season.
Speaking after completing his move, Finch said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to get the deal done and I’m really looking forward to getting started.
Grimsby is a massive football club and I’m excited by the opportunity to come here, work hard and show the supporters what I can do. I’ve had a taste of senior football over the last couple of years and I feel ready to take the next step in my career.
The ambition of the club really attracted me and I’m looking forward to being part of what we’re building here. I can’t wait to get started and hopefully I can contribute with goals, hard work and performances on the pitch.”
Head Coach David Artell added:
“Sonny is a player we’ve been aware of and watched closely. He’s got a really good profile for us and, importantly, he still has plenty of room to develop.
He’s got experience of playing senior football despite being just 21, and he’s shown that he can score goals and cause problems for defenders. We’re really pleased to have got the deal done and the fact he’s committed to a three-year contract shows the belief we have in Sonny and what he can become.
He’s hungry, he wants to improve and he wants to play football. We’re looking forward to helping him develop and becoming an integral part of this football club.”
Welcome to Blundell Park, Sonny!
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