And the Ukrainian says he knew his days were numbered on Wearside when Regis Le Bris started playing him at right-back in training.
Rusyn was a fringe figure in the first half of the season, making just eight Championship appearances before leaving for Hajduk Split on loan in January.
In an extensive interview with FootBoom, Rusyn claims Sunderland “insisted on including a purchase option in the deal”, with the forward clearly not expecting to return to the Stadium of Light in the summer.
Rusyn started only nine Championship games during his time at Sunderland, scoring two goals, and says he never felt like he was able to find anything like top form on Wearside.
“When I arrived, we talked, and the coach [Tony Mowbray] said he loved me and was counting on me,” says the 26-year-old.
“I understood that I hadn’t gone through pre-season and that I had to familiarise myself with the team during the Championship.
“We agreed to gradually integrate me into the team. The coach explained to me: ‘Don’t worry, I’ll give you three or four games so you get comfortable and aren’t afraid of making mistakes.’
“So, initially I played 10 minutes, then 15, then 20. At one point, he said I would start.”
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Rusyn added: “I don’t want to defend myself or make excuses. I think I was somewhat hampered by the fact that I joined the team very late and didn’t go through pre-season, so I didn’t have time to adapt.
“I went straight to the heart of the matter, having to get used to new realities during the Championship. Also, in the last month before the transfer, I didn’t play or even train at Zorya due to a groin problem. I was recovering the whole time.”
Rusyn also opened up on the shock of one injury setback last season.
“I developed a blood clot in my calf,” he said.
“It was the first time in my life I’d ever seen anything like that. Suddenly, my muscle started to hurt, and it got worse day by day. They did a test, and it turned out to be a blood clot. I was on blood-thinning pills. I had to stop playing football for two months.
“I had absolutely no knowledge of the language. When you’re with the team 24/7 and you don’t speak English, it’s very difficult. I understand that’s my problem, not the team’s or the coaching staff’s.
“I needed to understand the language. I went with the intention of learning as I went. In any case, I think I gained invaluable experience.”
Rusyn also discussed his relationship with Le Bris, having failed to force his way into the current head coach’s plans.
He said: “Every player wants to go to a coach they trust, whose demands they understand, and with whom they feel comfortable working. That’s what 11 out of 10 players will tell you.
“From my experience, I’ve learned that you should go where the coach wants you, not the sporting director, the agents, or anyone else.
“Overall, I think I’m a specific player. I have a specific character. And yes, you’re right, I need to feel the coach’s faith in me.
“I hadn’t spoken to him [Le Bris] even once. The coach treated me like everyone else, but as the season progressed, it became clear he was counting on other players. New forwards were added to the team.
“And while in the first two months I was still a substitute for 10 or 15 minutes, after that I stopped appearing on the pitch altogether. There were times when I played right-back in training. It happens. I could have been offended, but I decided to keep working hard and stay in shape for a winter outing.
“There was a meeting with the sporting director and the coaches. They said something had to be decided regarding me. And what can be decided here? We agreed that I need to play somewhere else.”
Rusyn has played 12 times for Hadjuk since his move but hasn’t yet scored.
Discussing how the move came about and his future, he said: Since the coaching staff at Sunderland did not count on me, I started talking to my agent about moving somewhere full-time or on loan. I wanted to play football.
“The option with Hajduk appeared in December, but it somehow dragged on. Then in January, they asked me if I was ready and I wanted to move.
“Hajduk are a big team in Croatia, like Dynamo or Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine. People here love this club very much. The team is fighting for the title. And the manager is Rino Gattuso, so why not? “There were other European teams interested in me – I spoke with Aberdeen too.
“I went on loan to Hajduk until the summer. However, as I understand it, Sunderland insisted on including a purchase option in the deal. That’s their position.”
