O'Nien 'unbelievably grateful' for degree honour
University of SunderlandSunderland footballer Luke O'Nien will be awarded an honorary degree by the city's university next month.
The versatile defensive midfielder, who has well over 300 appearances for the club he joined in 2018, used the announcement of the honour to pay tribute to Black Cats' fans who have "given me everything".
He said: "I am unbelievably grateful and I will make sure that I will do my best to keep contributing to the Sunderland community the best I can."
The University of Sunderland said the honorary doctorate of sport was in recognition of the 31-year-old's "outstanding contribution to the city – both on and off the field".
O'Nien thanked the club's fans for giving him the space to develop as a player.
"You guys have given me the life that I've always wanted, on and off the pitch," he said.
"I've turned up and given my everything but without the community here I wouldn't have this opportunity."
The university's vice chancellor Sir David Bell said the player represented the best of the city.
"Talented, hardworking, resilient, community-minded and relentlessly positive."