Ghanaian midfielder Salis Abdul Samed is eager to "help the team go as far as possible" after completing a season-long loan move to Sunderland from French Ligue 1 side RC Lens.

The 23-year-old was one of four new signings on deadline day and is already anticipating the challenges ahead in the Sky Bet Championship. In an interview with safc.com, Abdul Samed shared his enthusiasm about joining Sunderland and his commitment to contributing to the team’s success.

“I’m very happy to be here,” Abdul Samed said.

"I spoke with the Head Coach about the project and the strong support from the fans, which made Sunderland an appealing choice for my development.

"I know the Head Coach well from his time at Lorient, and his best friend was my coach at RC Lens, so they discussed my potential move.”

Despite Sunderland’s strong start to the season, Abdul Samed is aware of the long road ahead.

“Winning four games in a row is challenging, but four games are just the beginning. We need to keep working hard and aim for more victories,” he emphasised. “I’m a competitor and thrive on the competition for places. We work as a team and progress together.”

Abdul Samed joins a lineage of Ghanaian players who have worn the Sunderland jersey, including John Mensah, Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, and Antoine Semenyo. Reflecting on this legacy, he noted, “I met Asamoah Gyan while on international duty, and he has offered us advice. We occasionally speak on the phone. I don’t think he knows I’m here yet, but I’m sure he’ll be pleased when he finds out.”

As Sunderland aims for promotion to the Premier League, Abdul Samed is set to play a pivotal role in the club’s campaign.