Granit Xhaka and Luke O’Nien’s handwritten note to Sunderland staff emerges after historic season | OneFootball

Granit Xhaka and Luke O’Nien marked Sunderland’s landmark season by leaving a handwritten note for the club’s backroom staff. According to Sunderland Echo, kitman Luke Purcell shared it on his Instagram story.

He added the caption “The reason you do what you do…” alongside an emotional emoji.

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

The message said his impact in a short stint had been outstanding, praised his attention to detail and character, underlined his importance to the group, and offered thanks from the squad.

Togetherness has been a recurring theme of Sunderland’s season. Régis Le Bris’ side finished seventh in their first year back in the Premier League, qualifying for the Europa League and securing a first European campaign since 1973-74.

The club has repeatedly highlighted the wider cast who shape the environment, from kit and medical teams to analysts, chefs, media staff and ground-level staff.

Both players are seen as leaders in the dressing room in different ways. Xhaka arrived last summer with vast experience and quickly became a driving force, while O’Nien has lived Sunderland’s climb from League One to Europe.

Source: Sunderland Echo