Sunderland full-back Denver Hume finally signed a new two-year contract this week. His previous contract expired at the end of last season and up until the story broke that he had agreed a new deal, it was believed that Hume had played his last game for the Black Cats.
Sunderland had offered the left-back their best offer which had reportedly been turned down. However, following a summer where Hume had been recovering from injury at Sunderland and any move away from the club had failed, Hume has now decided his future, at least in the short term is on Wearside.
Following the summer saga involving Hume, the player could now have some making up to do on and off the pitch.
Sunderland’s Denver Hume Signs New Contract
Repay the Club
Sunderland believed they had a duty of care for academy product Hume, irrespective of whether he left the club or not. The full-back was injured at the end of last season and has been receiving treatment and care at the club’s training ground ever since. The Black Cats would also have been due compensation should Hume have moved on due to his age.
Lee Johnson and Sunderland gave Hume their best contract offer, an offer which during the summer was rejected. It was believed that Hume had played his last game for the club and a move away appeared to be the only way the saga was going to end.
With a move failing to materialise, Hume signed the contract which he previously rejected. He now has to prove his worth on the pitch and show Johnson and his staff that he wants to be at the club after being welcomed back into the first team.
Head coach Lee Johnson spoke about Hume soon after the player signed his new contract: “Our only regret is that this wasn’t completed sooner, but we are delighted to have retained another quality player to our squad.
“If he is a good student and is consistent in approach, as he always has been since day one, then I believe we can iron out his flaws and turn his strengths into super strengths.
“He has a wonderful vehicle here with a great set of staff that want to help him in every way, so his challenge now is to keep improving.”
A fit and in-form Denver Hume strengthens Lee Johnson’s squad, giving the head coach two left-backs he can call upon throughout a long and tough season ahead. He now must show his desire to win back a place in the first team.
Get Fans Back on His Side
Fans were understandably a little frustrated with the left-back. The general view was that Hume, an academy product and a player born in the area, wanted to leave. With Sunderland now into their fourth consecutive season in League One few could blame the player for wanting to play at a higher level when his contract expired.
However, it was the feeling that Sunderland were Hume’s backup should another move fail and using the club to recover from injury. With the 23-year-old rejecting a contract offer weeks ago which has now been signed could suggest he failed to receive a better offer from elsewhere.
Any doubts that fans may have about the player will soon be forgotten if he shows the commitment and dedication to do well whenever he pulls on the famous red and white stripes. As ever the Sunderland fans will get behind any player who gives their best for the club.
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