Aiden McGeady has revealed he knew last season he wanted to stay at Sunderland regardless of what division the club were in.
The Republic of Ireland man, who has just penned a one-year contract extension to keep him at the Stadium of Light until the end of the 2020-21 season, dazzled last term in red and white, contributing 11 goals and five assists in 35 league games.
Striking a memorable brace at Wembley in the Checkatrade Trophy Final too, McGeady shone throughout the campaign and was later named in the League’s Team of the Year before scooping the club’s Player of the Season award.
With just a year left on his initial deal, the 33-year-old has admitted while there was plenty of interest from elsewhere this summer, his mind was already made up where his future was going to be.
“I am delighted to have extended my stay at the club,” he said.
“At the end of last season, I spoke to the manager because I only really saw my future here.
“I spoke to the manager before we knew where we were going to be, whether it was in the Championship or League One.
“I am happy here and I am settled here.”
He continued: “When you get to my age it’s not about other things. I looked at it from different points of view because there were other clubs interested in taking me but I didn’t want to entertain that so I was keen to get something sorted.
“The club were quite keen as well, so it’s worked out well and it has been sorted out quickly over the last couple of weeks.
“I’m very happy here and I want to do everything I can to help get the club back to where I think it belongs.”
