Stephane Sessegnon: 'I never asked to leave Sunderland'

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Stephane Sessegnon has revealed that he never asked to leave his former club Sunderland prior to his move to The Hawthorns.

The Benin international joined the Baggies on transfer deadline day for £6m and scored the opener on his debut in a 3-0 victory over the Black Cats on Saturday.

"I didn't sense that I was going to leave Sunderland, but that's the life of a footballer," Sessegnon told the Sunderland Echo. "If a club wants you and they accept an offer, then that's what happens. That's football.

"I never asked to leave the club. But the club accepted the offer and then I had the choice to come to West Brom. It's football and I had the chance to continue playing in the Premier League. It's a good opportunity for me.

"I had three very good years at Sunderland with some great moments. I will always remember the good memories there and the people at the club."

Sessegnon joined Sunderland from Paris Saint-Germain in 2011.