'You have to commit': Kristjaan Speakman has this message for potential new Sunderland signings ahead of January transfer window

The newly-appointed sporting director, who left a role at Birmingham City to take up the post at the Academy of Light, will be moving to Wearside in order to fully commit to his role.

And he’s keen to see future signings do the same too.

Last summer, former manager Phil Parkinson called on striker Will Grigg to relocate to the North East in order to kick-start his career on Wearside.

Speakman too is of the belief that players will perform better once they commit to a club – both on and off that pitch.

And that includes moving to the area.

When asked by the #SAFCUnfiltered podcast if he would be moving to the North East, Speakman said: "I will be.

"I’ve got to prise my lovely wife out of Birmingham – she’s Birmingham through and through and we only live a few streets away from her parents, so from that perspective that’s a lovely comfort for her with young children.

"But it’s a commitment that we made when I accepted the job, and I’m really fortunate that she’s supportive of me and my lifestyle.

"We’ll move up to the area.

"You have to commit – that’s something we want to say to the players in the future, that you have to commit.

"And if you’re not going to do it yourself, you can’t put it on others – can you?”

A message from the Football Clubs Editor:

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of SAFC coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor