Dean Whitehead insists he never considered leaving Sunderland Football Club.

The midfielder was heavily linked with Fulham, Middlesbrough and Stoke City in the summer, but the player insists he never had any intention of leaving the Stadium of Light.

"These stories have been going on for a few months and I haven't a clue where they came from," Whitehead told the Sunderland Echo.

"The transfer windows bring up all sorts of rumours and I think some of the newspapers just make it up. Nothing was ever said to me about leaving. I'm excited about what's happening at this club.

“I'm the captain and I hope it stays that way. The stories haven't annoyed me - they've made me laugh, more than anything - but the transfer window is closed for a while.”