Fan connection 'the most important thing to protect' - Ghisolfi

[Getty Images] Sunderland focus on signing players with the right personality, says sporting director Florent Ghisolfi. On the back of a successful first season back in the Premier League for the Black Cats, Ghisolfi believes it's important to protect the relationship between fans and players. "I'm very proud to feel this connection [with supporters] because I think the crowd, the people, they give the energy in the club, in the team, in the squad and also the team is giving energy to the people, giving promise," Ghisolfi told BBC Radio Newcastle. "So, I think this is the most important thing to protect for the future." He added: "The most important thing [about the players], is the personality, the mentality, values. So we don't mind if he is from Belgium, France, Paraguay, or [if he is] Swiss, the most important thing is his personality. Is he a fit for the Sunderland squad today?" The 41-year-old also gave praise to manager Regis le Bris when asked about the Frenchman's connection with the supporters. "He deserves this recognition from the people here because I can tell you, he's working very hard," Ghisolfi said. "He's thinking always about the quality of the squad, the club, and this is what we want. "Speaking about him, the staff, the whole organisation, our philosophy is the right person in the right place, but also the interest is always Sunderland first and if someone has his own interest first, he can he can leave because Sunderland is at the centre of the project." Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds here