Brendan Galloway is keen to not have another horror season this term after securing another Everton loan exit.
The 21-year-old has been recruited by Simon Grayson’s Sunderland side in the Championship but will be undoubtedly be keen to earn more first-team opportunities than he did at West Brom last season.
Tony Pulis signed up Galloway on a season-long loan last August, but had it cut short in April after he made just five senior appearances for the Baggies.
The former England Under-21 international has since hinted that his temporary stint in the Black Country was not a complete waste of time.
“There was a lot of frustration last season,” he said, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo. “I had to deal with that, I have learned how to deal with things off the pitch mentally.
“I have become a stronger person and now I am looking forward to the challenge.
“I learned last season that you have to get your head down, work hard, do extra things and stay focused because you never know if you will get the opportunity.
“I had to remain patient, that has made me stronger and hopefully it shapes me up well for the future.”
Pulis’ decision to completely axe Galloway from his plans came as quite a surprise to the West Brom supporters, who were expecting to see the Everton man fill in their void at left-back.
However the ruthless Welsh manager opted to play traditional right-back Allan Nyom out of position for most of the campaign, with Galloway not featuring in the Premier League since September.
The Zimbabwe-born defender has made 21 appearances for the Toffees in his senior career, and will be joined by fellow Evertonian Tyias Browning at the Stadium of Light in the Championship next season.