Captain Lorik Cana digs into his new club’s past

Oct 27 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

Lorik Cana loves history so much, he wants to write himself into Sunderland’s. Stuart Rayner meets a man on a mission.

For a player new to one of world football’s more idiosyncratic leagues who does not have English as his first language, to be made captain might have surprised some. Speak to him, though, and it is not hard to work out why.

“I was surprised to be named captain so early but I accepted the honour with great pride,” he says.

“As Sunderland captain I know I have to show the right spirit. Sometimes you will play badly but it is important you can give all of yourself for the shirt.”

His attitude is why Cana is already living up to manager Steve Bruce’s summer prediction that the Albania international would acquire cult hero status. “I know exactly what I can give my club and the supporters, I just try to do that each game. My game is special, I give 300%,” he says, patting his heart.

“People in Sunderland love that and that is why I have a special relationship with the supporters.

“It is important, wherever you are, to know something of the history of a place and the mentality of the people. The people of this area are hard-working so the least you can do is give your all on the pitch.”

To this day, Bruce is surprised how quickly he completed the deal for Cana. It is even more surprising when you learn who the midfielder took soundings from.

“I knew my style would be perfect for England,” he comments. “It was always a place I dreamed of playing. We agreed the deal in 24 hours.

“I was approached by Werder Bremen and Hamburg but at the last moment there were difficulties and Sunderland really wanted me.

“It is important the manager wants to build a team around you and with you. I spoke to people who know the place who told me about the passion, the facilities and that’s why I chose to come.

“I spoke to Djibril Cissé and some English friends who are supporters of the club and they told me what I needed to hear.”