Tom Proctor says making his Sunderland debut earlier this season was a 'dream come true.'

Proctor, a boyhood Sunderland fan, played a starring role on Wednesday night as the club's U21 side beat PSG 4-2 in the Premier League International Cup thanks to a first-half hat trick from Jack Whittaker. Proctor has made rapid strides over the course of the year, impressing in a number of appearances for the senior team during pre-season. The 17-year-old made his debut from the bench in the Carabao Cup win over Hull in August, and was again involved in the win over Brentford last month.

Proctor says he is determined to kick on again and try and make the most of the regular opportunities he is getting to train with the first-team group.

"My debut was just a dream come true, really," Proctor told safc.com.

"Being here since I was four, five years old, every day I've been working towards that moment, and then to finally get my first sniff at first-team level was a dream come true, and hopefully the first of many. Hopefully I keep getting better and better, and then, see what happens with the first team, see how many opportunities I can get, and see how much I can learn from players like Enzo, Riggy, and the best players in that group."

Proctor has been a regular in the Europa League matchday squad so far, an experience the youngster admits has left him 'starstruck'. Proctor is yet to make his first appearance in the competition but is hopeful he might be able to play his way into contention at some stage along the way.

"I hope so," he said.

"I'll keep working hard and see what happens. I am still getting starstruck by all the experiences in Europe, because it's such a unique experience for me being here since I was a kid, and getting to travel around the world with Sunderland, playing in Europe is incredible, and is something that I’ll cherish forever. Not many people have done this, so for me, to be involved in that is incredible and one that I'll never take for granted."

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Proctor finds himself in the unusual scenario of being coached by his dad, former Sunderland striker Michael. The midfielder hopes he can begin to make his own name in the game but says he is fortunate to enjoy a strong relationship on all matters on and off the pitch with the first team technical coach.

"It's good," Proctor said.

"Sometimes we talk about football all the time, but then when we go home, we just switch off and just have a normal, really good, loving relationship. It's good to have him around, and I've learned quite a lot. He is harsh sometimes, but he's my dad, so he's going to be like that. Hopefully, I can just start to be Tom, and people see me as Tom instead of Proc’s son. But it’s something I've got to work towards now; just got to live with it, haven't I?"