Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin ought to pay very close attention to some recent comments from sporting director Kristjaan Speakman.
Cirkin is almost a forgotten man within this Sunderland side.
The former Spurs talent joined the club for their final season in League One and helped get the Black Cats across the line.
Very quickly, Sunderland realised that they had a promising and reliable full-back on their hands in Cirkin.
The 21-year-old featured 37 times in the promotion-winning 2021/22 season and then played 28 times in the Championship last season, scoring an impressive five goals and becoming a target for Brentford, with rumours even of a potential Spurs return.
Dennis Cirkin injury woes
Cirkin has definitely lost his early momentum though after a year of injuries.
He’s featured just eight times in the Championship this season, with his last appearance coming back in November owing to a hamstring injury.
Cirkin though remains under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2026, and some recent news coming out of Sunderland may be music to Cirkin’s ears.
Aji Alese pens new Sunderland deal as Kristjaan Speakman speaks out
Fellow defender Aji Alese signed an extended Sunderland contract on Friday morning, committing his future at the club until 2027.
Alese’s original contract was up next year, and despite spending the bulk of this season on the sidelines along with Cirkin and many others, the club have shown a lot of faith in him by handing him a new deal.
Discussing that, sporting director Speakman had this to say:
“It’s been a difficult 12 months for him due to injury, but his return to action is imminent and his personality has ensured that he has contributed to the group throughout his rehabilitation.
“We are really pleased to extend Aji’s contract. He’s performed at a high level for us and demonstrated the potential to develop further, so we see him as an important member of our squad.”
Speakman comments must inspire Cirkin to keep going
Cirkin will surely be desperate to get back on the pitch.
But having been out for so long, and with Sunderland having other names able to play at right-back, like Alese, Timothee Pembele, and Trai Hume, it could be a long road back to the starting XI for Cirkin.
Next season will be the aim for Cirkin. He’ll want to return at the end of this campaign and then use the pre-season to be ready to hit the ground running in 2024/25.
And next year hell be in the final year of his contract; like Alese this season, Cirkin could be in line for a new deal.
This security that Sunderland have shown towards Alese should inspire players like Cirkin who’ve had injury troubles to want to impress in training and secure their future at the club.
Sunderland is a great place for young players to be given the game time they get, and the protection they get in terms of contracts and so on, given Speakman’s comments.
Cirkin will no doubt be working hard in training and if he can make an impressive return this year, he too could be in line for a new deal.