Sunderland star Alim Ozturk has thanked the fans for helping him get to his best level since being given the chance to shine in the playing eleven over the last month.
Ozturk enjoyed a sluggish start to his career at the Stadium of Light, after joining Sunderland on a free transfer last summer.
The defender featured sparingly throughout the first half of the season and was constantly overlooked by boss Jack Ross after failing to impress during a handful of appearances in League One.
However, the 26-year-old has featured in every game for Sunderland since their win over Doncaster Rovers last month, including both legs of the League One semi-final playoff tie against Portsmouth.
And Ozturk has thanked the fans for helping him get back to his best level at the club since being given a second opportunity last month.
The Turkish centre-back admitted he was waiting for a long time to be given the chance to prove his credentials, but understands the performances from his team-mates were good enough to keep him away from the playing eleven during his time on the bench.
“I was waiting for my chance for a very long time to be honest”, Ozturk told the club’s official website.
“The other guys were performing so well so it was hard.
"But when I got my chance, I took it and I played really well.
“Since then, the fans have got behind me and have helped me perform to my best levels, so I want to thank them for that.”
Ozturk clocked the full 90 minutes in Sunderland's 0-0 draw at Fratton Park, which ensured a 1-0 aggregate win for the Black Cats.
