'I'm just so glad I got to be part of it' - Cirkin
- Published
Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin has expressed his joy at being part of the Black Cats' promotion to the Premier League.
Regis Le Bris' side beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final thanks to Tommy Watson's 95th-minute winner.
After the trophy lift and celebrations, left-back Cirkin returned to the Wembley pitch to reflect on his success.
"I've been here before and it's special," he told BBC Radio Newcastle. "It's really, really special, to take it all in and think about the whole season.
"On a personal note, it's been a tough season off and on the pitch, highs and lows, but there's one job that we had in mind and one purpose and that was the Premier League. I'm just so, so glad I got to be part of it."
Cirkin suffered a wrist fracture in November and another injury then prevented him from taking up an England Under-21 call-up in March. He missed six of Sunderland's last eight games of the regular Championship season.
"Injuries are just a small part of it," he said. "There's a lot that's happened off the pitch. A lot of things I've learned from.
"With my wrist as well, I've been playing with a broken wrist which was not ideal, but I'm glad I could play a part in it because since I joined this club that's the one dream that I had and now it's on to the next and that's stay in there."
The former Tottenham man joined Sunderland in 2021 as a 19-year-old who Jose Mourinho described as a player with "a lot of quality."
Born in Ireland and raised in London, he's quickly learned how important Premier League football is in his new home on Wearside.
"It means so much more than anything else to put a smile on their faces, to get this city back to where it belongs," he added.
"I know how much it means, how much it unifies the people and it means a lot to me. When people come up to you, you can just tell in their voice and the way they come up to you, it means so much to them and you can see it. That's the greatest pleasure I can have.
"For my family, for my friends, for the city, to see everyone positive, happy, there's no feeling like it. Back to the Premier League is where this club belongs."
