Lynden Gooch has shared some words on what it's like to extend his contract with Sunderland, he'll be 28 when his contract runs out and he'll have been with the club for 12 years experiencing all the highs and lows of the last decade.
DELIGHTED
"I'm delighted, it's taken a bit longer than I'd have liked but I'm happy that it's done. Six months ago I didn't know if I was going to be here any longer, so I'm really pleased to have signed a new two-year deal.”
GAFFER
"On deadline day in January I thought I might well be leaving the club, so it's been a whirlwind. But since the gaffer has come in, I've used that as a fresh opportunity again. I've got a really good relationship with him and I'm looking forward to continuing playing for him."
POINT TO PROVE
"It feels good to be back and I'll be ready to go. I’m looking forward to being back in the Championship and hopefully we can make it a good campaign. I want to prove myself again.”
WEMBLEY SUNK IN
“Yeah I think it did after a couple of weeks. Obviously it's great to be back now and looking forward to the championship campaign and you know hopefully that it can be a successful one.”
GOAL
“Ultimately that's why I stayed and I signed a new contract three and half years ago. I always wanted to deliver that success and I'm really pleased we were able to do that. Obviously now I get a chance to prove myself in the championship again.”
LAST TIME OUT
“That was probably my first proper full season when we got relegated so yeah I've been dying for this opportunity again to play in the championship. I just hope it's a successful one again.”
FAMILY
“It's really important to me and my young family, two young kids, my fiancé and obviously all my in-laws and stuff as well you know this is our home and I'm really pleased that we all get to be here for another two years.”
SUPPORTERS
“My family aren’t here but they've kind of took me in here as one of their own and looked after me as well so I'm really pleased that for them as well that we get to stay here and have that relationship with us still and the kids.”
KIDS
“They'll be Sunderland supporters for life too so I hope they continue to grow up and watch their dad at the stadium.”
PROUD
“Crazy that I'll be 28 when my contracts up. Ten years officially now as a pro. It’s gone by very quickly. Who knows what will happen, but yeah of course I think it's very rare to see a player stay at one club for so long and come through the academy so it gives me a lot of pride I’ve been able to stay at a massive football club for this long. No matter how long that's been or what division we're in, I take a lot of pride in that.”
OFF-SEASON
“It feels good, I've not had that long off but you have to look after yourself in the summer these days, you can't take all the time off and do nothing so I'm sure everyone will be fit and I'll be ready to go as well.”
