Papy reveals his regrets but hopes to help his young teammates

Papy Djilobodji has finally spoken out on his Sunderland exit - several months after leaving the Stadium of Light.

The Senegalese defender joined French Ligue 1 side Guingamp earlier this week on a deal until the end of the season, after his contract on Wearside was torn up in September.

Djilobodji,whowentAWOL in the summer and failed to report for pre-season training at the Academy of Light, has now spoken about his Black Cats departure.

When quizzed on his time at the Stadium of Light, Djilobodji opened up on how dealing with his exit was ‘not easy’ - and his regret over not showing more of his ability during his time in the Premier League. “It was not easy but I am mentally strong,” he admitted. “My family and my friends really helped me. I learned a lot in England, I trained with very big players. “I would have liked to show more things but that’s life. Today, I am back in France and my head is more rested.”

The centre-back joined Sunderland for £8 million from Chelsea in August 2016 but spent last season on loan at Dijon - a club he claims were keen to sign him permanently.

However, in an interview with French outlet Le Telegramme, he says that the Black Cats were “asking for too much money” for his signature.

Djilobodji failed to return to the North East after his spell in France, when he and midfielder Didier Ndong refused to resume their Sunderland careers as they eyed moves away following relegation to League One.

In the interview, Djilobodji revealed that he spent his pre-season training ‘between London and Nantes’, and has no doubts over his readiness to help his new side move off the bottom of the French top flight.

And the 30-year-old hopes to have a real impact at his new club while using his experience to help the younger members of the squad.

“I’m close to being ready because I’ve been training all the time,” he added.

“I missed finding a professional group. I have a little experience and I hope to benefit young people.”