After clocking up half a century of games in red and white, Pierre Ekwah is excited for what the future holds on Wearside.
Since signing in January 2023, the Frenchman has become a mainstay in the heart of the Sunderland midfield producing eye-catching displays and playing a major role in a side that reached that Sky Bet Championship play-offs last season.
Whilst his performances on the pitch have captured the eye, his infectious personality has captured the hearts of the fanbase.
Upon making his 50th appearance for the Club, he admits there is more room to grow and develop on and off the pitch. “It’s been a crazy year or so” said Ekwah. “So many ups and downs in all of it but I’ve still really enjoyed it. I am going to be forever grateful for the experience really.
“Personally, I am still learning and I’m a young player with each game, each month, each season but I am so pleased to be doing it here. I know I can take my game to another level so I can only look forward now.”
Take a bow, Pierre 🎭#SAFC https://t.co/52wUTncbvL pic.twitter.com/saA4kccyOp
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 31, 2023
Since signing from West Ham United last year, Ekwah has got an authentic taste of being part of a first-team environment and has sensed the magnitude of the Club and the fanbase.
The Lads have gone on to solidify themselves as a strong Championship side but as expected, the journey has not been straightforward.
The 21-year-old added: “It’s all about the little details. As a Club and as a team, that’s what we are looking to do. Obviously it’s never going to go well all of the time because that is life, you can’t have a straight road because otherwise things would be boring and there wouldn’t be emotion. At Sunderland, you have got a lot of emotion and things are never boring!”
After forging a formidable bond with the fanbase in his early tenure with the club, Ekwah has relayed his appreciation for the support he has received.
Ekwah continued: “It’s been the first real experience of me getting love from the fans now that I am in a first-team environment that I always dreamed of. There is no better place to be doing that than Sunderland because the fans are really passionate and they deserve a lot. When I came, they really gave me the love. It was a surprise but a real good surprise. They are really nice people. Even meeting them in the street or talking to them after games, I really appreciate all of them.”