Sunderland legend Jermain Defoe understands the meaning of playing on Wearside and what it feels like to wear the number 18 for the club.

The ex-England striker made 100 appearances for the Black Cats, scoring 37 goals in all competitions, becoming a firm fan favourite for the club.

From derby-day heroics to unforgettable goals, few players have left such an enduring mark at the club. It’s no surprise, then, that his words still carry weight both inside and outside the dressing room.

Defoe, who also made a huge impact at West Ham, Tottenham and Portsmouth, revealed that he played a small but meaningful role in one of Sunderland's biggest summer moves – the signing of Granit Xhaka.

“No one probably knows this, but Granit actually reached out to me in the summer,” Defoe revealed via safc.com

“He said, ‘I’ve got a chance to go to Sunderland. Can you give me some words about the club?’