Robin Roefs Issues Emotional Sunderland Message After Signing New Long-term Contract

Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs was beaming with pride as he penned new terms with the Black Cats on Friday morning, keeping him at the Stadium of Light until the summer of 2031.

Earlier in the week, it came to light that Sunderland and Roefs were in discussions over a new contract, and now the Dutchman has put pen to paper, committing the next five years of his football to the Black Cats after a stunning debut year.

As part of the Black Cats' pre-Premier League recruitment drive last summer, Sunderland signed Roefs from Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen for just an £11m fee, and the Dutchman went on to establish himself as one of the best young goalkeepers among England's elite during just his second full senior season in football.

Roefs kept ten clean sheets in 35 Premier League outings for Sunderland under Regis Le Bris to play an imperative role in the Black Cats' remarkable seventh place finish and subsequent Europa League qualification.

His stunning saves, cross-claims, and presence between the sticks saw Roefs crowned Sunderland's Young Player of the Season, a richly deserved honor.

As a result of his superlative shot-stopping form last season, Roefs made his national team debut in June in a friendly and afterwards was called up by Ronald Koeman to the Netherlands World Cup squad, and although he did not feature for The Oranje, it was deserved international recognition for his exploits.

Following his mammoth goalkeeping displays at Sunderland, the Stadium of Light hierarchy has offered Roefs new and improved terms, and the Dutch international was understandably delighted at the reward for his stunning debut season on Wearside.

After the news was announced, Roefs told Sunderland's media: "It feels really good, really an honor for me to sign a new contract here after just one season of playing here and the trust I get from the coaching staff, from Flo, the director (Florent Ghisolfi), just feels really good for me.

"I was told about the fans, and I knew it was one of the better, or well, I was told that they were one of the better fans in England.

"But really from the first moment I came here, I think the first game West Ham at home, like the amounts of people that showed up, the noise they made, and from there on it just got better and better, and obviously with the performances we did, it helped as well, but I think they're really so positive.

"They really embrace you, and they really love you when you're doing well and even when you're doing not so good, they just love it. So that atmosphere at the Stadium of Light has obviously been really special."

Roefs added: "Sunderland has felt like home from the moment I arrived. 

"Last season was incredible, finishing seventh and qualifying for Europe, but we all feel there’s so much more to come from this squad of players, so we’re now focused on what’s next.

"I’m really excited about playing my part in the bright future of this football club."

Throughout his debut season at Sunderland, several elite European clubs have been credited with interest in the Black Cats' shot-stopper, namely, Bayern Munich being reportedly keen on Roefs earlier in the year.

Thankfully, the goalkeeper's new contracts protects Sunderland, with Roefs being one of their biggest assets in terms of potential development and future sale value, and also means that Le Bris' number one is set in stone for a number of seasons to come.

Amid the news, Sunderland Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi explained: "We are very pleased that Robin has committed his future to Sunderland until 2031.

"These qualities reflect the identity and the standards we want to build at this Club.

"Robin is proud to represent Sunderland, and we are equally proud to have him with us. He is an important part of this team and of our future, but we all know there is still a lot of work ahead of us. We want to keep progressing together, with ambition and humility."

Roefs will be hoping for his first clean sheet of the season on Sunday afternoon as Sunderland host Fulham in the Black Cats' first Premier League game on home soil of the season.