Sunderland transfer news: Dennis Cirkin reacts as new club is confirmed
The popular left back has a new club in the second tier
Dennis Cirkin has joined QPR.
Cirkin has been a free agent since his departure from Sunderland was confirmed earlier this summer, and has returned to London ahead of the new Championship season.
The left back made 127 appearances for the Black Cats, and was one of the players to feature in the promotion campaigns from both League One and the Championship. QPR begin their league campaign away at Portsmouth this weekend, though it remains to be seen if Cirkin will be involved after missing the pre-season campaign.
“It feels good to be back in London,” Cirkin said.
"After chatting with the CEO (Christian Nourry), the head coach (Julien Stéphan) and many people at the club, I feel like this is the right place for me - with the right ambition. They're very ambitious and that's something that aligns with me.
"I'm pretty much aligned with a lot of what the head coach has told me," he added.
"His values, his morals. I can't wait to work under him.”
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Earlier this summer, Cirkin posted an emotional farewell to Sunderland following the end of his contract at the club.
Cirkin wrote: “The goodbye that once felt so far away is finally here :/ As a young boy, all I wanted was an opportunity.
“A chance to play, to prove to myself that I belonged. Sunderland gave me that, and then gave me so much more. Because this was never just about football. This city took me in and made me one of its own. The people here are like nowhere else: proud, loyal, full of heart and so passionate. That spirit gets into you. It changed me. Walking out at the SOL with that crowd behind me is a feeling I’ll chase for the rest of my life.
“The roar, the energy, the way it lifts us, that was always you. On the best days you carried us, and on the hardest days you never once turned your backs. I’ll never forget that. To this city and its people: thank you for taking a chance on me, and for making me feel at home from the very first day.
“Thank you. For the passion, the loyalty, the noise week after week. To represent you, and to wear this badge over 100 times, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. When I look back, I won’t remember the statistics. I’ll remember the heart and soul of our community. The feeling of a whole city behind one team. What we built back up together. I arrived a boy chasing a dream. I leave carrying this place, and all of you, with me forever :) Signing out <3.”
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