When next season's fixtures are released on June 23, nobody will be wearing a bigger smile than Dean Whitehead.

Having grown up supporting Oxford United, and then becoming one of their finest home-grown players, Whitehead has been used to the likes of Rochdale, Macclesfield and Bury.

But those days are in the past, as Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool now await the ever-improving midfielder.

A move to Sunderland ten months ago from Oxford was a big wrench for the Abingdon youngster, but it has become the best decision of his life.

Winning the Coca-Cola Championship title with the Black Cats has propelled Whitehead into the top echelon of British football, where the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard now await.

"I still can't quite believe it," he said.

"It is beyond my wildest dreams what has happened this season.

"It was a massive step up for me going from Oxford to Sunderland, and in many respects, getting into the Premiership means that it will be an even bigger jump this time around.

"But just being part of the squad would be great. It would mean everything just to experience the Premier- ship.

"Hopefully I will get given a chance to show what I can do on the biggest stage of all."

And he admits to wearing a permanent smile for the last few weeks.

"My championship medals mean so much to me," he added. "They have been doing a lot of miles with me lately, but I won't let them out of my sight."