Leeds United target on 'important' aim for this season amid Elland Road links

Leeds United-linked Dennis Cirkin has said he is focused on ‘enjoying’ his season at Sunderland. The left-back had injury problems in the last campaign and has admitted he just wants to relish playing regular football again.

The 22-year-old, who is under contract at the Stadium of Light until the summer of 2026, has made 15 appearances in all competitions so far this season and has chipped in with two goals and one assist. He has helped the Black Cats rise to the top of the Championship table under the guidance of French manager Regis Le Bris.

Leeds are reportedly admirers of the player ahead of January, as reported by the Sunday Mirror. He could be seen by the Whites as someone to compete with the likes of Junior Firpo and Isaac Schmidt.

Cirkin has said in an interview with The Northern Echo: “On a personal level, sometimes I think about it and it's just surreal to me. Going a whole season with three recurring injuries was a dark time and then looking at this season, I'm doing my best to keep fit. At the end of the day, I'm just enjoying it and that's the most important thing, I think, is just to enjoy it with the ups, the downs, the challenges. I think I thrive off the pressure, off the challenges.

“I think you just find a way to cope. Especially because for me, I'm young, so I won't have any answers. I think I just learned as I went, going through highs, lows, different ways of learning.

“I have very good people around me. I just want to give a big shout-out to Luke (O’Nien), a really good man. It goes so under the radar how much of an effect he has on the team, on the individuals, on everyone around the club. He's a big character in the dressing room helping everyone out."

Sunderland starlet

Cirkin rose up through the academy at Tottenham Hotspur and was a regular for the Premier League side at various different youth levels. He then left the London outfit for Sunderland back in 2021.

The Dublin-born man made his debut for the Black Cats in an away game against MK Dons and hasn’t looked back since. He helped the North East club gain promotion from League One in his first year and has adapted well to life in the second tier.

Cirkin was part of the Sunderland side who made the play-offs back in 2022 under their former manager Tony Mowbray. However, they were beaten at the semi-finals stage that year by eventual winners Luton Town.

He has played 92 games in all competitions to date and has found the net on seven occasions. He only played eight times in the last campaign due to injury though and will be pleased to be back now.

Leeds are only two points behind the Black Cats in the table right now, with Sheffield United sandwiched inbetween them. Daniel Farke’s side won 2-0 at home to QPR last time out.