The centre-half captained Northern Ireland against Denmark and Iceland during the international break and is now looking ahead to what promises to be an exciting six months.
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A picture of Sunderland's Trai Hume
Sunderland's Trai Hume(Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)
Sunderland defender Trai Hume is eagerly anticipating the upcoming season, with a particular focus on one fixture.
The next six months are shaping up to be pivotal for the Sunderland defender as his team gears up for their much-anticipated return to the Premier League and Northern Ireland commence their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign.
Aware of the increased demands at a higher level, Hume is nonetheless embracing the challenge ahead.
"I'm really excited," the 23 year old expressed. "I'm probably not looking forward to pre-season as much because it's going to be that wee bit tougher but that's part and parcel of it.
"I'll have to work harder than I have before because I'm stepping up a level and playing in the best league in the world," reports Belfast Live.
"It will be tough but I'm excited. It is a challenge I know me and my team-mates at Sunderland are looking forward to and hopefully we can get going.
"I'd be lying if I didn't say the derby against Newcastle is the game I'm looking forward to most," he admitted.
"For me I was a Chelsea fan (growing up) so I'm looking forward to playing them twice but obviously the main game is the derby."
Hume isn't the only player looking forward to the release of the Premier League fixtures next week, with fellow full-back Dennis Cirkin also anticipating them coming out.
Cirkin is one of six Sunderland players who played in both the League One play-off final win and the Championship play-off victory at Wembley, alongside Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, Patrick Roberts, Luke O'Nien and Hume.
And while the Black Cats finished their season after everyone else, the left-back says he can't wait to return for pre-season training.
Cirkin said: “It hasn’t been long since the season finished but I’m already looking forward to coming back. This is what we’ve all been working towards.
“We’re not going to be here to stand on ceremony. That first game will be a special occasion but our season won’t be just about that.
“We know it’s going to be a huge challenge but we’ll be ready to take that head on.”
The 2025-26 Premier League fixtures will be released on Wednesday at 9am.