Dennis Cirkin is now a mainstay in the Sunderland team, and the defender has just passed a big milestone for the club.
At the age of just 22, Dennis Cirkin is already so experienced and mature as a player, and is one of the main leaders in this current Sunderland side.
While Cirkin’s recent form has been less impressive than we’ve come to expect from the Irishman, there is no denying that, when he’s firing, he’s one of the best in the league in his position.
Since joining Sunderland back in 2021 from Tottenham Hotspur, Cirkin has seen the club get promoted from League One, reach the Championship play-offs, and rebuild again under Regis Le Bris this year.
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Dennis Cirkin reflects on 100 appearances for Sunderland
It’s almost unbelievable that someone so young is now celebrating 100 appearances for the Black Cats, but Cirkin’s outing against Burnley saw him hit a century of games for Sunderland.
Speaking to the club’s official website about the achievement, Cirkin said: “It’s a surreal feeling… To reach that many appearances for a club of this stature, to play in front of the fans at home and the amazing support away.
“To see the stuff off the field as well. How good the community is in the city. It’s a real pleasure. I’m grateful for it every day.”
Looking ahead, Sunderland are on track for promotion this season, and that ties into Cirkin’s own targets as a player for the club, insisting it’s what the fans deserve more than anything.
“When I joined, I definitely had personal goals and aspirations and along with that we had team goals,” he added. “After getting out of League One, you are always looking for the next step. You’re always looking for the next goal and that next goal for us is getting that promotion, back to where we belong. More importantly, back where the fans belong as well.”
Cirkin has struggled with injuries this season, which he admits was “tough” but all part of the “character building” process. Now, he aims to put all that behind him, and says “there is nothing more that I want than getting promoted with these lads.”
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Cirkin will be pivotal to Sunderland’s promotion hunt
Cirkin has had to fight for his place a little more than usual this season, but with the long-term injury to Aji Alese last week, the 22-year-old will be one of the first names on the team sheet once more.
Sunderland’s defensive record has been pretty impressive this season, and with Cirkin and Trai Hume on either flank, they can’t really go wrong. If Le Bris is to guide his team to the top flight, getting Cirkin back to his best will be vital.
| Statistics | Dennis Cirkin (2024/25) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 23 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Progressive passes per 90 | 3.43 |
| Pass success | 75.9% |
| Tackles and interceptions per 90 | 4.95 |
Cirkin offers so much going forward in this dynamic, exciting Sunderland system, too. His runs down the left open up space for the winger in front of him, and his ball delivery into the box is highly dangerous. With both Tommy Watson and Romaine Mundle still out injured, Sunderland need more of that.
In the first half of the season, before his injury, Cirkin was looking like one of the best players in the league, and hopefully, he can soon recapture that form.