Saturday’s game against Montpellier HSC in Aix-les-Bains saw Younes Kaboul’s career come full circle.
The Frenchman grew up in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois – a stone’s throw from Sunderland’s training base in Evian – spending his junior years in the region before moving to Auxerre in 2000.
The rest, as they say, is history, but although Kaboul has gone on to great things including a Coupe de France triumph and a League Cup win, he cherished his local return and playing in front of his family and friends.
“It was an honour for me to come back where I’m from,” said Kaboul. “I’m very happy to have played where I grew up and to represent Sunderland here was great.
“It’s great for my children to come and see where it all started for me and hopefully they will remember these moments.”
He added: “It was a very positive trip and now we have to make sure we’re ready for the new season.”
