“When i firstly joined the club, my ultimate goal was to……”- Cirkin’s Passionate words about Sunderland’s Return are exactly what fans needed to hear
Dennis Cirkin Reflects on Sunderland’s Premier League Return with Gratitude and Determination
Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin has shared his thoughts on the club’s long-awaited return to the Premier League, expressing how thankful he is to have played a part in the achievement.
The 23-year-old left-back has been a key presence in Sunderland’s rise, having become a regular in the squad since his arrival. Cirkin is one of six players — along with Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson, Trai Hume, Patrick Roberts, and Luke O’Nien — who were also part of the club’s 2022 promotion from League One.
Now, after celebrating another promotion, Cirkin reflected on his journey with the Black Cats and what the latest triumph means to him.
Cirkin on Wembley Glory and Team Spirit
Speaking to the club’s in-house media, Cirkin said:
“I feel incredibly grateful to have lifted a trophy once, let alone twice, at Wembley. Walking up those steps to collect your medal is a feeling like no other. When you’ve left everything out on the pitch and you know you’ve done it.”
He described the dramatic playoff final against Sheffield United as symbolic of their season:
“That game was like the story of our season told in 90 minutes—facing tough spells, digging deep, and finding a way to win. The fact that we pulled through the way we did made it even more special. We truly battled to the end.”
A Mission Fulfilled, but More Work Ahead
Cirkin also spoke about the sense of purpose that’s driven the team since his early days at the club.
“When I first joined, the ultimate goal was always to get Sunderland back to the Premier League. From the moment I broke into the first team in League One, there was a strong belief in the group that we wouldn’t stop until we achieved that.”
He acknowledged the significance of the club’s recent struggles and the weight of expectation from fans:
“For as long as I’ve known Sunderland, they’ve felt like a Premier League club. The past eight years have been tough and well-documented, but there’s always been a clear drive to return — and we did it with style. The pressure from the fanbase and the city has always been there, but we’ve embraced that. It’s felt like our responsibility to give them a team they can be proud of, and I think they felt that pride on promotion day—and will carry it into next season.”
Focused on the Premier League Challenge
Looking ahead to the upcoming campaign in the top flight, Cirkin is already eager to get started.
“The season hasn’t been over long, but I’m already excited to come back. This is what we’ve all worked so hard for. We’re not just here to make up the numbers — that first game will be special, but the season’s about much more than that. We know it’ll be a massive challenge, and we’re ready to face it head-on.”
