Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin can't wait for the new season to get started, with 'exciting' times ahead at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats narrowly missed out on a place in the Championship play-off final in their first season back in the second tier of English football.
And Cirkin, who signed a new three-year deal to extend his stay on Wearside, is relishing the challenge of going one better in this coming campaign. The 21-year-old played 28 times in the league for Sunderland last season, scoring five times, including a brace in a 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion which helped the Black Cats secure a play-off place.
Sunderland have wasted no time in strengthening their squad this summer, with three youngsters already arriving at the Stadium of Light, in Jobe Bellingham, Nectar Triantis and Luis Semedo. It underlines the club's focus on youth, and for Cirkin, points to a bright future ahead.
