Sunderland contract outlook after Dennis Cirkin confirms summer exit | OneFootball

Sunderland face significant contract calls as the 2026/27 build-up begins, with the club expected to publish their retained list within a week, according to Sunderland Echo. Full-back Dennis Cirkin has confirmed he will depart later this month when his contract expires.

The former Tottenham Hotspur defender joined in summer 2021 and has made over 125 appearances in five years. He helped end Sunderland’s League One stay and impressed again as last season’s Championship play-off final win over Sheffield United sealed a Premier League return.

Opportunities were limited in the top flight, with the 24-year-old featuring eight times and starting only three under Regis Le Bris, who guided the Black Cats into the Europa League.

Cirkin thanked supporters for their passion and said representing the club more than 100 times had been a privilege, adding that he leaves with the city and its community close to him.

Contract end-dates currently stand as follows. Summer 2026: Bertrand Traore, Lutsharel Geertruida (loan), Dennis Cirkin, Harrison Jones, Niall Huggins*, Zak Johnson*, Dan Neil*. Summer 2027: Reinildo Mandava, Luke O’Nien, Abdoullah Ba, Simon Moore, Alan Browne*, Nazariy Rusyn*, Arthur Masuaku*, Aji Alese*.

Summer 2028: Granit Xhaka, Wilson Isidor, Romaine Mundle, Milan Aleksic, Ahmed Abdullahi, Luis Semedo*, Jenson Seelt*, Timothee Pembele, Anthony Patterson*, Leo Hjelde*. Summer 2029: Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fee. Summer 2030: Trai Hume, Robin Roefs, Simon Adingra*, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Habib Diarra, Chris Rigg, Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, Melkor Ellborg, Jocelin Ta Bi, Nilson Angulo.

Source: Sunderland Echo