Kenwyne Jones has admitted he was flattered by Tottenham's interest but is happy to stay at Sunderland.
Black Cats striker looks ahead to bright future at Stadium of Light
Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones has admitted that although flattered by Tottenham's interest he is more than happy to stay at the club.
The Trinidad & Tobago international signed a new four-and-a-half year contract with the Black Cats after Spurs boss Harry Redknapp had publicly declared his interest.
Jones celebrated his new deal in style after he scored the only goal of the game against Fulham on Tuesday.
The victory lifts the club up to 11th in the Premier League table and more importantly five points from safety.
"Sometimes in football you don't have control of your future. One day you're top, the next day you're at the bottom," Jones told the
Sunderland Echo.
"But what will be, will be. I think I was meant to be here.
"It's nice to know another manager saw something in me and wants to take me to his club, but I think Sunderland is a big football club.
"I've made this decision and I'm quite happy to stay here. You want stability in your life 90 per cent of the time, I guess, but sometimes that doesn't happen.
"Thankfully I'm still here. All in all I'm happy to be here and happy to be part of a big club. Hopefully we can progress and realise our ambitions."
Ambition
The 24-year-old, who only joined the club in 2007 from Southampton for £6million, held talks with manager Ricky Sbragia and chairman Niall Quinn as they outlined the club's vision for the future.
But the frontman, who has scored an impressive six goals in 13 league games since recovering from a serious knee injury in the summer, refused to relay what was said between the trio and was even more secretive over his own personal ambitions.
"I can't disclose what was said," he added.
"Everyone has their own plans of how they want the club to progress and Sunderland is taking a step in the right direction.
"What are my ambitions? To go home, have a rest, and think about the day's training. I can't foresee what might happen in the future or see my plans.
"You never know what's going to happen, I only think about today."
Jones was all too aware of how important the three points were against Fulham as they now look ahead to the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle on Sunday.
"It was a great way to celebrate signing a new deal and pledging my future to Sunderland," he stated.
"Going to Newcastle is a big game but last night was all about the three points. It was important we tried to separate ourselves from the bottom and push up the league."
