Football
Birmingham City Among Trio of Championship Clubs Monitoring Dennis Cirkin if Sunderland Exit Looms
Birmingham City are considering signing Dennis Cirkin on a free transfer if he rejects a new deal at Sunderland, as revealed by SportsBoom. The left-back has attracted interest from a trio of Championship clubs. Cirkin, signed from Tottenham Hotspur in 2021, helped Sunderland earn promotion last season but has seen limited game time this term. Southampton and Watford are also eyeing the Irishman.
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-MAN CITY by ANDY BUCHANAN | Getty Images
Birmingham City are eyeing up Dennis Cirkin on a free transfer if he rejects a new deal at Sunderland, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The left-back’s current contract at the Black Cats is up in the summer and our sources understand a trio of Championship clubs have the Irishman on their radar.
Cirkin helped the club to Premier League promotion last season, but has rarely featured for the club this term.
He has played just 297 minutes of Premier League football this term as Regis Le Bris’ side have settled back to the top flight.
The Blues are eager to sign reinforcements this summer as their plot their own promotion push after a long stint in the wilderness.
Southampton and Watford are both also understood to have Cirkin on their respective wish lists.
Initially signed from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2021, the defender penned a three-year extension in 2023.
It is understood talks have been ongoing over a new deal in recent months, but Cirkin has found game time limited this term.
Making His Way
Cirkin came through the ranks at the Spurs’ academy before moving to the north east when he signed with Sunderland.
Capped from U16 to U20 level for England, Cirkin was called up to Lee Carsley’s U21 squad for the European Championship, but had to withdraw due to injury.
During his time at the Black Cats, Cirkin has made over 100 league appearances for the club.
He played 34 times during the League One play-off winning campaign in the 2021-22 season and scored five goals during his first taste of Championship football the following season.
Cirkin played just eight times during the 2023/24 campaign due to injury, but made 36 appearances as part of the famous Championship play-off winning season last term as the club ended their nine-year wait to return to the top flight.
Shane is a seasoned sports journalist and one of the most recognisable voices in the snooker pressroom. From Ronnie O’Sullivan to Zhao Xintong, he has sat down with the sport’s biggest names and broken hundreds of front-page national stories.
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