Sunderland contracts in focus as Dennis Cirkin confirms summer exit | OneFootball

Dennis Cirkin has confirmed he will leave Sunderland at the end of the month, sharpening focus on the club’s contract picture.

The retained list is expected within the next week as preparations for 2026/27 begin. The player said in a post that his time on Wearside is over.

Signed from Tottenham Hotspur in summer 2021, the full-back made over 125 appearances. He helped end Sunderland’s League One stay and, after last season’s play-off final win over Sheffield United, return to the Premier League. He featured only eight times in the top flight, with three starts under Regis Le Bris, who led them into the Europa League.

Cirkin thanked supporters for their passion and loyalty, calling it a privilege to wear the badge over 100 times. He will remember the people, the sense of a city behind one team, and leaves carrying the place with him.

Contract expiries: 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. Asterisk denotes a 2025/26 loan spell.

Source: Sunderland Echo