Jermain Defoe is relishing the 2016-17 Premier League season after declaring Sunderland’s fans as the best in the Premier League.
The striker was instrumental during the previous campaign netting 18 goals in all competitions, and none was more important than a late winner against Chelsea which lifted the roof off the Stadium of Light.
Many supporters have declared that Defoe’s strike created the best atmosphere at the SoL to date, with the city left shaking to its foundations as the red and white army roared Sam Allardyce’s side to a priceless three points.
And, after penning a new deal with the club, the 33-year-old can’t wait to experience similar moments in the new campaign.
“That’s the best [atmosphere I’ve ever experienced],” said Defoe. “It was beyond the Premier League; in my opinion and a lot of people’s the Premier League is the best league in the world with the best fans, but that day the stadium was electric.
“The fans turn up in numbers every week and I always say to people – my close friends and family – that it doesn’t matter how the season has gone, or even if we’ve not played well, they always come back the next week.”
He continued: “When you come here as a player and you experience that you just want more and more, and it isn’t one of those clubs where players come and just want to go because when you come it’s a family club.
“I remember saying to Younes 'you need to see what it’s like, and then speak to me at the end of the season’ and then against Everton he cried on the pitch.
“I said to him ‘I told you’ and he just looked and me and said ‘JD, it’s just unbelievable’.”
