'Nothing better' - Northern Ireland's Trai Hume the Europa League goal hero for Sunderland as ex-Irish League defender adds another big moment to special story
Northern Ireland international Trai Hume was left speechless after scoring on the final day of the Premier League season to help secure Sunderland the surprise prize of European football.
The former Irish League defender kicked off the scoring in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at The Stadium of Light that left the Black Cats now looking towards the Europa League.
Hume, who played for Linfield and Ballymena United before his January 2022 move to England, featured in every Premier League fixture and was second only to goalkeeper Robin Roefs for minutes across Sunderland’s return to the top flight.
His volley off a Luke O’Nien header put Sunderland ahead on the day they marked a return to Europe for the first time in 53 years.
“I can’t put it into words, to be honest,” said Hume on the official Sunderland club website. “We have fully deserved it all season because we have worked our socks off throughout the year.
“When we first came up, nobody gave us a shot, but here we are in the Europa League.
“We have proved a lot of people wrong, so there is nothing better.
“I have played in this stadium for four-and-a-half years and the fans are absolutely amazing every time.
“The first goal is always key and I knew if we scored first, then we’d win the game no matter what.
"Our fans are behind us every step of the way.
“It has been a whirlwind of a journey at this club.
“If you’d told me four years ago that I’d be here in the Europa League, I wouldn’t have believed you.
“It is a credit to the owner, the staff and the players throughout the years.
“You have always got to improve and that comes from working hard every single day and seeing where that takes us.”