The 21-year-old Ukrainian has had to overcome significant challenges since joining the Black Cats in 2023, with injury setbacks interrupting his progress. He is now beginning to make an impression in the first team, scoring in the recent Europa League fixture against Lech Poznań and also finding the net in the Carabao Cup victory over Brentford.
For Tutierov, however, Sunderland represents much more than the club where he is developing his football career. Having left Ukraine because of the war, he has found a place where he feels safe and supported.
“A lot. It’s my home! Because of the war in Ukraine at the moment, I left and I’m here right now,” he said when asked what Sunderland means to him.
“My house parent, she’s like my English mum, and I love her so much. Sunderland is my home, where I can be and feel safe.”
On the pitch, Tutierov is competing with Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor for opportunities, and he is keen to learn from the more established forwards without losing the qualities that make him different.
He recognises that both players have aspects of their game he can study, particularly Brobbey's positioning, but believes it is important to maintain his own identity.
“There are things to learn from Brian, from Wilson, but for me it is very important to keep my identity. I’m different to Brian! It’s why I need to see if certain skills from Brian I can use in my game,” he explained.
“In terms of his positioning, it’s great and you can learn from that. The main thing though is keeping my identity as a player.”
Sunderland's results in the Premier League have not matched the team's European performances recently, but Tutierov believes the squad can turn things around.
He accepts that the start has been disappointing, yet insists the attitude within the group remains strong and that the players are confident their work will eventually produce better results.
“We have a mentality and our mentality doesn’t change. We have some unfortunate results which is disappointing for us, but I think it happens sometimes,” he said.
“We have to work hard, because we are showing good football in some of the games. A bit of luck and a bit of work, and I think it will work out.”
Tutierov also stressed that there is plenty of the season remaining and that the team must continue to trust the approach that has brought them success in other competitions.
“We all know what we have to do, it’s not been the start we expected, but there are so many games to play, and I do believe we will bounce back,” he added.
“The attitude we show in training, the games we play show us that we can. I hope it’s going to happen soon.”
For a player who arrived in England after leaving his home country, Sunderland has become a place of security as well as opportunity. Tutierov is now looking to repay that support by making the most of his chances and helping the club improve its domestic form.