Granit Xhaka and Luke O’Nien thank Sunderland kit team with handwritten note after historic season | OneFootball

Granit Xhaka and Luke O’Nien have marked Sunderland’s historic campaign by leaving a handwritten thank-you for kitman Luke Purcell and the club’s support staff.

According to Sunderland Echo, Purcell posted the message on his Instagram story with the caption “The reason you do what you do…” alongside an emoji.

The card appeared to carry the signatures of Xhaka and O’Nien, who thanked Purcell and the wider kit team for their behind-the-scenes work during a remarkable campaign.

They wrote that in a short spell he had helped improve the team, praised his attention to detail and character, said he was important to the group, and offered thanks on behalf of the players.

The gesture is likely to be welcomed by supporters, with togetherness repeatedly cited as a theme of Sunderland’s success this season. Régis Le Bris’ side qualified for the Europa League in their first season back in the Premier League, finishing seventh to secure a first European campaign since 1973-74.

While coaching staff and players have drawn most plaudits, the club’s rise has also reflected the work of kit, medical, analysis, culinary, media and ground staff. Xhaka arrived last summer with vast experience and quickly became a driving force, while O’Nien has journeyed from League One to Europe.

Source: Sunderland Echo