Carlos Edwards believes Granit Xhaka’s arrival proves Sunderland are now a major draw under Régis Le Bris.

Carlos Edwards believes Sunderland has become an increasingly attractive destination for players after a remarkable season under Régis Le Bris.

The former Black Cats winger knows better than most what it means to arrive on Wearside and feel the scale of the club. Edwards joined Sunderland from Luton Town in January 2007 and played a key role in Roy Keane’s promotion-winning side, scoring the famous late winner against Burnley that helped seal the club’s return to the Premier League.

Sunderland’s latest rise has been even more dramatic. From League One to the Premier League and now European football, the club has rapidly changed its standing in the market. Players who might once have needed convincing about a move to Wearside are now seeing a club with huge crowds, European football, a clear playing identity and a manager attracting serious names.

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Edwards believes the perception of Sunderland has shifted, although he has never accepted the idea that the location should put players off. Asked whether Sunderland is now a more attractive destination than during his time at the club, Edwards told The Echo: “It is attractive, but at the same time, you look at it. Those players who don't want to come to Sunderland and they go to another Premier League team, they still have to travel to Sunderland to come and play anyway. So what's the difference? I mean, nothing's changed. It might be a few degrees colder, but it's a passionate club. It's a lovely club. It's a lovely place. And this is why I have the connection with the fans.

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“I'm just grateful that the fans give me the opportunity to play for the beautiful Sunderland. I was grateful. I did my best. Not to say I went out there to be the fans' favourite all the time, because I may or may not be some fans' favourite, but I just went to play football. I just came to play football and tried to do my best to make sure that the club itself, because the club comes first. Players come and go. The club will always be there.”

For Edwards, one of the clearest signs of Sunderland’s growing pulling power was the arrival of Granit Xhaka. The Switzerland international’s move to the Stadium of Light was viewed as a major statement, and Edwards believes it underlines the influence Le Bris now has.

He added: “And it just shows that now, as the question that you asked, you find players now coming to Sunderland. Xhaka, for example. It’s crazy. Nobody expected him to even sign. But that just shows you the effect the manager has now, bringing these players in and making Sunderland now a force to reckon with, because in the past, yeah, players would just come, as I said before, maybe for a payday. And that's not it. When I first came, obviously, I just wanted to come to a big club to represent, to put that on my portfolio.”