Twelve months ago, Mayenda was heading into the summer after failing to make a breakthrough at Easter Road. His loan spell in the Scottish Premier League yielded one cup start and three substitute appearances, hardly a level of involvement that suggested he was ready to star at Championship level in England.
However, after impressing during pre-season under Regis Le Bris, Mayenda was handed a starting spot in the opening game of the campaign at Cardiff, scored two goals in the second league game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday, and did not look back from that point onwards.
He ended the season with ten goals to his name, the last and most important of which saw him scored Sunderland’s second-half equaliser in their play-off final victory over Sheffield United at Wembley.
“In that moment (last summer), no, I could not really have imagined this would happen,” said Mayenda. “I keep working every day to be in the right place in the right moment. Sunderland helped me a lot about that.
“I’m very happy that we won the final. I’m very happy because we did it. It was a good experience for me and now I have more experience. I did well, so I’m very happy.”
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Mayenda can now prepare for a first taste of Premier League action later this summer. The Spaniard was a childhood fan of Fernando Torres, and cannot wait to emulate his idol by playing in the English top-flight.
He was a surprise omission from the Spain Under-21 squad for this summer’s European Championships, so is currently on an extended break. However, when he returns to Wearside for the start of pre-season training in July, he will be doing everything he can o ensure he continues his upward career trajectory next season.
“The feeling of promotion is really good,” said the 20-year-old, who has reportedly been attracting growing transfer attention from some of European football’s biggest sides. “I scored in the first game in the semi-final, and then again in the final.
“We did it. It was an amazing feeling to score again in the final. It’s a really good gift.”
