‘Dark time’ – Leeds United-linked player lifts lid on his injury nightmare
Full-back Dennis Cirkin was limited to just nine appearances for Sunderland last season
Dennis Cirkin in action for Sunderland this season
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The 2023/24 season was one to forget for Dennis Cirkin. The left-back, heavily linked with a move to Leeds United in recent weeks, played just nine times for Sunderland as they finished mid-table in the Championship.
A decision was taken back in January that Cirkin required surgery on a hamstring problem he initially suffered in the early weeks of the campaign. He went over six months without playing a competitive match.
But Cirkin has been a shining light for the Black Cats this term, playing every minute in the league so far for Regis Le Bris’ side. Describing the turnaround in his fortunes as “surreal”, the full-back told the Northern Echo: “Going a whole season with three recurring injuries was a dark time and then looking at this season, I’m doing my best to keep fit. At the end of the day, I’m just enjoying it and that’s the most important thing, I think, is just to enjoy it with the ups, the downs, the challenges. I think I thrive off the pressure, off the challenges.”
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The 22-year-old has thanked those around him for supporting him through his injury ordeal, including club captain Luke O’Nien. “I have very good people around me. I just want to give a big shout-out to Luke, a really good man,” said Cirkin. “It goes so under the radar how much of an effect he has on the team, on the individuals, on everyone around the club. He’s a big character in the dressing room helping everyone out.”
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As well as Cirkin, the Whites have been credited with an interest in Gent left-back Archie Brown. There are big question marks surrounding Junior Firpo’s long term future. The former Barcelona man is out of contract next summer.
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