Valentin Roberge has insisted that he does not want to leave Sunderland this summer.
The 27-year-old has struggled for first-team football since arriving at the Premier League club on a free transfer in 2013.
However, the centre-back has vowed to fight for his future at the Stadium of Light.
Roberge told The Echo: "I knew coming from Portugal that it wasn't going to be easy to adapt. I could have made the easy decision and stayed in Portugal, but my dream was to try something different.
"The best things don't always come too quickly. I played, I didn't play, I played, I didn't play. But I just had to stay strong in my head and work, prepare well for every game and show the manager what I could do.
"It's the league that everyone wants to play in. Last year was good preparation for this year. I had to be patient, which was not easy. But it's a new season and I just want to work hard and then see what happens."
Roberge has been linked with a move to France this summer.
Matt Law
