'Thank you' - Dennis Cirkin Confirms Sunderland Exit With Emotional Post

Defender Dennis Cirkin has announced on his social media channels that he will be departing Sunderland this summer after a five-year stay at the Stadium of Light.

During their League One days, the Black Cats signed Cirkin from Tottenham Hotspur in the pre-season summer of 2021 for an undisclosed fee, and arrived with high hopes from the Sunderland supporters after ex-Spurs boss Jose Mourinho claimed he had “a lot of quality.”

Throughout his five-year association with Sunderland, the iconic manager’s words proved true, with Cirkin going on to play a pivotal role in the Black Cats’ resurgence from the third tier to the Premier League. 

After helping Sunderland secure promotion from League One to the Championship, and then from the second tier to the top flight, the defender struggled for gametime this season. 

With Sunderland’s season concluding with a seventh-placed finish and subsequent qualification for the Europa League, Cirkin’s Stadium of Light story has also come to an emotional end.

Cirkin leaves Sunderland after 126 appearances across the last five seasons, during which he scored eight goals and notched six assists, and was part of the illustrious group who won double promotions for the Black Cats. 

With Regis Le Bris’ arrival in the summer of 2024, Cirkin found his best form last season after an injury-ravaged 2023/24 Championship campaign, culminating in the Spurs youth product starting in Sunderland’s Championship play-off final win over Sheffield United at Wembley. 

Following his exceptional efforts in the Premier League promotion-winning campaign, the subsequent top flight season has been a testing one for the left-back, with his year yet again blighted by several injury issues. 

Additionally, Sunderland’s addition of Reinildo Mandava last summer following his Atletico Madrid exit, and his outstanding form this term, saw Cirkin feature in just eight Premier League games for the Black Cats this season.

As a result, and with the left-back’s contract expiring at Sunderland this summer, Cirkin has announced he will be departing the Stadium of Light with an emotional farewell message on social media. 

Cirkin said on Instagram: “Quite the video and caption lol but It's crazy how quickly time passes, the goodbye that once felt so far away is finally here,

“As a young boy, all I wanted was an opportunity. A chance to play, to prove to myself that I belonged. 

“Sunderland gave me that, and then gave me so much more.

“Because this was never just about football. This city took me in and made me one of its own. The people here are like nowhere else: proud, loyal, full of heart and so passionate.

“The roar, the energy, the way it lifts us, that was always you. On the best days you carried us, and on the hardest days you never once turned your backs. I'II never forget that.

“To this city and its people: thank you for taking a chance on me, and for making me feel at home from the very first day.

“Thank you. For the passion, the loyalty, the noise week after week. To represent you, and to wear this badge over 100 times, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life

“When I look back, I won't remember the statistics. I'll remember the heart and soul of our community. The feeling of a whole city behind one team. What we built back up together

“I arrived a boy chasing a dream. I leave carrying this place, and all of you, with me forever :)

“Signing out <3”

Unfortunately for the young defender, the constant issue regarding Cirkin during his time at Sunderland has never been his ability on the field, but his ability to stay off the sidelines.

Over the course of his Sunderland career, Cirkin has often shown his ample qualities as the epitome of the modern-day full-back, and his goals against the likes of West Brom and Coventry City during the Championship days will forever be remembered by the Sunderland faithful.

Even this season, Cirkin performed admirably when employed on occasion in place of Reinildo, with the defender’s best performance helping his side keep a clean sheet against Manchester City on New Year’s Day.

The Sunderland fans will be sad to see Cirkin go, considering his contribution to the club’s footballing renaissance, but with emotions removed, the move makes sense for all parties. 

At 24-years-old, Cirkin needs to find his new long-term home before he enters the prime years of his career, and Sunderland will be seeking a higher calibre of squad member as they take to the Europa League next season.

Regardless, Cirkin’s efforts and development in the red-and-white stripes will forever be appreciated by all Sunderland staff and supporters.