'It was a dream come true to captain Sunderland - but it was time I left' - George Honeyman on Hull move

George Honeyman admits his Sunderland exit happened so quickly that it's taken time for it to really sink in.

But the former Black Cats captain says his £400,000 switch to Hull City came at the right time - both for himself and the club.

Honeyman had been with the Wearsiders since the age of 10, graduating through the academy ranks before ultimately leading his side out twice at Wembley last season.

However, while he says it was a very tough decision to leave Sunderland this summer, he's delighted with his new start on Humberside and for the chance to work with new boss Grant McCann - someone who his former manager Jack Ross had nothing but praise for.

“It was a bit bizarre in how quickly it all happened,” Honeyman, who captained his new side in Tuesday night's Carabao Cup win over Tranmere, told our sister title Hull Live.

“It was hard for me to get my head around it. Before I knew it I was travelling down to Hull for a medical.

“It sunk in a little bit the night before the Tranmere game. It had happened so quickly that it didn’t really have chance to sink in.

“But I’m delighted to be here now it’s all done and in the past.

“I can’t keep thinking ‘I wish I was back at Sunderland’ because that’s not the case. I’m at Hull City and I’m going to give everything I’ve got every time I pull on a Hull City shirt."

Honeyman only has fond memories of his long association with Sunderland - but is targeting a Premier League return with Hull.

“It was a really tough decision for me to leave," he added. "I’d been at Sunderland since I was 10 and I was captain of the football club.

“That’s something that not many young lads get to do. I was extremely privileged and it was a dream come true.

“But I think for Sunderland and for me it was probably time I left.

“They got a fee and I only had a year left on my contract. I’ve got to step up a division and come to work with a fantastic manager in Grant McCann.

“It’s also a squad that I believe is capable of great things in the Championship. I’m now looking forward to being successful with Hull City in the years to come.

“I’ve played in the Premier League before and I know I can handle it.

“That might be a bit of a bold statement after playing in League One last season but I’ve been there and trained with a Premier League club for a few years.

“I know I can handle that level and I want to get back there with Hull City.

“The manager is ambitious. I had a phone call with him and I’m exactly the type of player that he wants in his team and in his squad. That made things a lot easier.

“I know Cliff Byrne from his time at Sunderland and I know the type of bloke that Cliff is. I didn’t know the gaffer personally but I knew if Cliff worked with him then he’d be a good bloke.

“I spoke with Jack Ross before I signed as well and he had nothing but praise for Grant McCann as well. That made things a lot easier for me.”