---
title: "Dennis Cirkin Leaves Sunderland for QPR on Free Transfer"
canonical: "https://readsunderland.com/2026/08/13/dennis-cirkin-sunderland-qpr-free-transfer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Shumail Sajid"
section: "Sunderland News"
published: "2026-08-13T04:05:48Z"
modified: "2026-10-10T21:43:23Z"
---

# Dennis Cirkin Leaves Sunderland for QPR on Free Transfer

**\
Dennis Cirkin has completed his move to Queens Park Rangers after leaving Sunderland at the end of his contract.**

The left-back has joined the Championship club as a free agent and becomes QPR’s sixth signing of the summer. The London club will be hoping Cirkin can help them improve on their 15th-place finish from last season.

For Sunderland, it brings an [end to a five-year association](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/ce97px112d8o) with a player who played an important role during their rise back towards the Premier League.

## Cirkin’s Sunderland career comes to an end

Cirkin arrived at the Stadium of Light in August 2021 and went on to make 127 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals.

His most influential campaign came during Sunderland’s promotion-winning 2024-25 season. He featured 36 times in the Championship as the Black Cats secured their return to the Premier League.

## Life in the top flight proved more difficult.

Cirkin’s progress was affected by injuries, while surgery on a wrist problem during the summer meant he missed the beginning of Sunderland’s Premier League campaign.

Reinildo eventually established himself as the preferred option at left-back, leaving Cirkin with limited opportunities. He made only three starts and eight league appearances across the campaign.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Sunderland opted against extending his stay.

Cirkin had remained without a club since his departure was confirmed earlier in the summer, but he has now returned to London to begin the next chapter of his career.

QPR haven’t revealed the length of his contract.

## An emotional farewell by Dennis Cirkin to Sunderland

While Cirkin’s time on the pitch became increasingly limited, his connection with Sunderland and the city remained strong.

The defender [posted an emotional farewell message](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-transfer-news-dennis-cirkin-qpr-8917018) after his contract expired, reflecting on everything he experienced during his time on Wearside.

“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.”