Aiden McGeady will return to the Stadium of Light for the 2021-22 season after signing a new one-year deal at Sunderland AFC.
The 35-year-old winger, who returned to training on Wednesday, joined the club in 2017 and has made over 130 appearances in red and white, scoring a total of 33 goals.
After spending time on loan with Charlton Athletic in 2020, Lee Johnson recalled McGeady to the first-team squad immediately after his appointment and the Republic of Ireland international dazzled throughout the remainder of the campaign.
In just 31 Sky Bet League One appearances, the wide-man registered a league-high 16 assists and scored four goals, whilst also setting up Lynden Gooch’s Papa John’s Trophy Final winner at Wembley Stadium in March.
After returning to Sunderland, McGeady said: “I’m pleased to have signed a new contract at the club and I’m looking forward to the new season. I’m happy at Sunderland and since returning to the team under Lee Johnson, I feel that my performances have shown that. We all know what the ambition is for next season and I’ve made no secret of the fact that I want to be part of the team that goes back up. My focus is to play and perform for Sunderland for as long as I can.”
Lee Johnson added: “We are delighted to welcome Aiden back to the club. I have a strong relationship with him on a football level and I think he’s produced since we’ve come in. A player of his age has to produce and that’s why he’s here – to make other players better. I’ve not only been impressed by his output in terms of assists, but his buy-in to the philosophy and club identity.”