Sunderland AFC transfer news RECAP: Lee Johnson drops Denver Hume contract bombshell ahead of MK Dons

The Dennis Cirkin deal is finally done and Sunderland have won their opening two games of the 2021/22 season.

There’s lots to be positive about for Lee Johnson at the moment, but the Black Cats boss will know he still needs to make more signings before the end of the transfer window.

Johnson will hold his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to MK Dons later today, and we’ll have live updates on today’s blog.

We’ll also bring you the latest news analysis and transfer talk throughout the day.

If you hadn’t already heard, Sunderland completed the signing of left-back Dennis Cirkin yesterday.

The 19-year-old has labelled Sunderland as the ‘perfect’ club for him after signing a three-year deal on Wearside.

Cirkin becomes Sunderland’s fourth signing of the summer transfer window, following Alex Pritchard, Corry Evans and Callum Doyle.

I’m delighted to be here,” Cirkin told the club’s website.

“As soon as I got interest from Sunderland, it was a no-brainer – the fans, the stadium, the history – and I just thought the club was perfect for me.

“I feel like the head coach has a very good track record with young players and I feel like this is a place that I can progress and develop in my career.”

Sunderland were handed an away tie against Blackpool in the second round of the Carabao Cup last night.

Lee Johnson’s side beat Port Vale at Vale Park in the first round of the competition after a goal from Josh Hawkes and an Aiden O’Brien penalty either side of half-time.

The tie against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road will be played on the week commencing August 23, after Sunderland’s home game against AFC Wimbledon and before a meeting with Wycombe Wanderers at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland still need to sign at least one new right-back this summer and have been heavily linked with Nottingham Forest defender Jordan Gabriel.

The 22-year-old spent the second half of last season at Blackpool and helped the Tangerines win promotion from League One.

Forest recently signed Arsenal right-back Jordi Osei-Tutu yet, according to the Sun’s Alan Nixon, Gabriel could still stay at the City Ground this season.

Lee Johnson is set to hold his pre-match press conference at 1:30pm today ahead of Saturday’s trip to MK Dons.

The Black Cats boss is bound to be asked about transfers, contracts and more, and we’ll have live updates in today’s live blog.

Josh Hawkes spoke to the media following Sunderland’s 2-1 win at Port Vale on Tuesday night.

After playing for the club’s under-23 side last season, the 22-year-ol is hoping for more first-team opportunities this campaign.

“When I first came here I thought I would be in and around the first team and they told me I’d be between the 23s and the first team,” admitted Hawkes.

“Obviously we had quite a big squad last year and the chances were quite limited. I played in the cup and then an injury set me back a little bit.

“The 23s helped massively and hopefully this year I can push on with the first team.”

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On Cirkin: “We have to protect him (Dennis Cirkin), he had Covid a couple of weeks ago.”

“We’re still going, we’re still active in the market. The main thing is that we don’t come out of the market without any injuries.”

On Stewart: “There’s clubs that wanted to sign Ross Stewart in the Championship.”

On Port Vale: “We needed to come through it. A lot of the players had different agendas. Some players needed more minutes whilst others want to make an impression.”

As a club, we came out of that game better than we went in.”

“We knew already the influence of fans and the positivity.”

“It was just really nice to have them back.”

“It’s a difficult job being a head coach because you’re trying to get the balance between confidence and anxiety.”

“As a fan base that’s the same. Our focus will always be trying to leave the club a better place.”

“Winning is a good habit. We always want to win. But the main focus has to be on the league. That hasn't changed.

“We can’t afford this season to be affected in the league, we’re going to use the cup games to develop our youngsters but we expect them to be competitive and win.”