Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Thu 2 April 2026 10:00, UK

Dennis Cirkin will be out of contract at Sunderland by the end of the season.

Sunderland’s success in the Premier League has come at a cost for several of the stars who played a part in getting them back to the top flight, with the likes of Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson and Patrick Roberts having already moved on.

Cirkin is one of the very few players to have remained part of the first team picture at the Stadium of Light this season, albeit having made minimal appearances.

However, the former Spurs academy prospect is coming towards the end of his deal on Wearside, with a decision from the Black Cats needed sooner rather than later.

• Read more: I had major doubts over Dennis Cirkin, but Sunderland now have a clear priority

Does Dennis Cirkin have a future at Sunderland?

When taking into account the fact that Cirkin has started just three Premier League games this season, with a total of seven league appearances, it would look from the outside that he is a fringe player at best.

But when taking into account his injury status at the start of the season, matched with the form of Reinildo, it doesn’t paint a clear picture.

Cirkin has shown, when he has featured, that he has what it takes to play a part in the top flight, with his performance against Man City in particular a clear demonstration of that.

He’s the type of player that almost every Premier League side needs in their squad, even if he is not to be a regular throughout the course of the campaign.

Ability-wise, he certainly has a future at Sunderland, but whether he stays at the Stadium of Light will largely come down to what he wants for his career, knowing he could get regular football elsewhere.

Read more: Felix Scott: Sunderland starlet goes from hero to zero in Reading draw

What has Regis Le Bris said about Cirkin’s contract situation?

Understandably so, given the season Sunderland have had, Regis Le Bris has spoken little about the future of his players, with far more important tasks at hand.

However, the Frenchman did reveal that plans to offer the defender a new deal were on hold as of February, with a decision over his future yet to be made.

He said: “But at the minute, nothing is done. I repeat, probably the main word with Dennis and us at the minute is consistency. Consistency and trust.

“If he stays consistent and feels that it’s the right place to go further, I think we’ll find an agreement. But it’s a bit early at the moment.”

For even more Sunderland news and opinions, head over to Football Insider.