What Will The Future Hold For Dennis Cirkin?

Dennis Cirkin of Sunderland AFC warms up during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Stuart Leggett/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Ciaran McKenna says… I’ll be gutted if Cirkin leaves — largely because I love the lad but also because he’s a talented footballer that hasn’t really had the rub of the green, but if you take sentiment out of the situation, you see why he doesn’t look likely to get an extension. For one, his injury record is terrible.

I’m not sure he’s had a season at the club without missing at least a few games through injury, with some major and long-term ones mixed in, and he’s also fallen down the pecking order following promotion. The signing of Reinildo was always going to see him pick up fewer minutes but I’m not sure he would’ve seen himself as third choice behind an out-of-position Trai Hume. I think Cirkin has performed well in his appearances this season.

Against Wolves on Saturday, he didn’t do much wrong. He was a standout in getting an important point at home to Manchester City and if he does end up departing in the summer, I think he can be proud of his contributions. He’s been with the club since League One and was integral during the two promotion seasons.

We would have to bring in a left back if Cirkin goes, even if it’s as a backup for Reinildo in order to build the depth of the squad and our rotational capabilities. He’s become one of my favourites in the last few seasons and I’ll be sad to see him go if he does, but I’d understand it from the club’s perspective. Joseph Tulip says… Cirkin is among a unique band of Sunderland players who have made the journey from League One to the Premier League.