Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has confirmed that he will be staying on Wearside next season.

Kevin Phillips has admitted that he, like the rest of Sunderland’s fanbase, is excited by the news that captain Granit Xhaka will be staying at the club next season.

The Swiss veteran has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in recent weeks, but has since confirmed that he will be staying put at the Stadium of Light ahead of the Black Cats’ upcoming Europa League campaign.

Speaking while away at the World Cup, Xhaka said: "Sunderland has been my home since day one. We are all very happy. I decided to stay where I am... I am ready to make history with them."

And in an exclusive interview with The Echo, courtesy of BestBettingSites, Phillips has suggested that retaining Xhaka represents a huge boost for Sunderland. He said: “It's great news. The fans are buzzing up here. I've been saying, ‘Well, until he actually comes out and says it, I'm not believing anyone’, but now he's said it himself. He feels that this is his home. He's got unfinished business. He wants to take something to the next level, with the Europa League this season.

The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.

“So the fans, you have to give him respect for not going, not knocking on the door and saying he wants to leave. He said he wants to stay, and the fans are buzzing. They'll forget all about him being linked with Chelsea. That's credit to the player. We're all excited - certainly the fans are for Granit to come back unscathed from the World Cup, raring to go next season.”

Your next Sunderland read: The Sunderland moment that will stay with Eliezer Mayenda and his family as he explains Stade Rennais move