ALEX Pritchard is hopeful of reigniting his career at Sunderland after signing for the club last week on a two-year deal. 

The 28-year-old was recently released by Championship side Huddersfield after spending over three years at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Pritchard was once rated at £11 million after a high profile move to Yorkshire but has struggled with his fitness to the point where he wasn’t offered a new deal at the club.

After Sunderland fought off interest from several Championship sides to seal his signature, Pritchard is hoping he can hit the ground running and recapture the form of his early career.

“I think over the past few years, the way my football has gone, I think it’s crucial for me to be with a manager I know and he knows me as a person and a player so I think it’s crucial for me” Pritchard told the club website.

“The guy that wants to get on the ball and make things happen. I think looking back over the last few years, especially with this manager since he’s been in, I think Sunderland have had a lot of the ball.

“I think I’m probably best suited to a team that has a lot of the ball and just try and make things happen really. I think over the last couple of years, it’s been difficult for me but if I can get my mojo back and maybe start scoring a few more goals then and get my confidence back then you never know what can happen.

“There was offers out there and like I say, it’s crucial for me to be with a manager and playing style and a club like this. I think it was possibly a good decision to make this decision. You never know how it goes but hopefully it will go well.

“The club speaks for itself. Anyone you speak to. It’s Sunderland, it’s a massive club.

“You see the stadium, you see the training ground and the fans and I think this could just be a great fit. Obviously the reason to be at a club like this is that it’s in League One.

“It should never be in League One but that’s where it is at the moment and I think everyone knows that’s why I’m here, to get the club back to where it needs to be.

“It’s been a bit of a hard summer because you’re obviously thinking of where you’re going to be or what you’re going to be doing. Obviously keeping fit and now I’m getting ready to get my boots back on and ready to get going.”