QPR confirm statement signing of ex-Sunderland man ahead of Portsmouth opener
Pompey welcome QPR to Fratton Park in Saturday’s Championship opener and the visitors will have a new face in their ranks.
QPR have confirmed the arrival of Dennis Cirkin ahead of Saturday’s Championship opener against Pompey.
It’s been a busy summer at Loftus Road, with the left-back becoming the sixth new face through the doors in west London so far.
The 24-year-old, who departed Sunderland at the end of the season, joins alongside Tariq Lamptey, Glen Kamara, Calum Ward, Pierce Charles and Boy Kemper as Julian Stephan continues his recruitment drive.
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QPR seal Sunderland capture ahead of Pompey opener
Cirkin makes the move to the Rs on a free transfer after being released by the Black Cats at the end of the campaign, bringing his five-year stay at the Stadium of Light to a close.
The Dublin-born defender amassed 127 appearances in all competitions on Wearside, helping Sunderland rise from League One to the Premier League.
The ex-Tottenham youngster, though, featured just eight times in the top flight last season after falling down Regis Le Bris’ pecking order on their way to achieving European football.
Having played a key role in the Black Cats’ successful 2024-25 Championship promotion-winning campaign, Cirkin is targeting a play-off finish with new-side QPR this term, which starts on the road against Pompey this weekend.
‘It feels good to be back in London,’ he told the club’s official website following his capture.
‘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. His values, his morals. I can't wait to work under him. I'm super excited to meet the boys and get into training.
‘I think it should be the obvious one, which is, for sure, the play-offs. I feel like everyone's got that thought in their head.
‘I wanted to join this club because they have that vision - and now it's just about executing the vision.’
Pompey’s left-back situation ahead of QPR
Pompey will be without a natural left-back heading into Saturday’s Championship curtain-raiser at Fratton Park.
Connor Ogilvie was sidelined during pre-season after undergoing knee surgery last month, which was expected to keep him out of the opening weeks of the campaign.
Meanwhile, out-of-favour Jacob Farrell will also be absent after picking up a fresh setback in his recovery from a groin issue.
Mousinho will once again turn to fit-again Zak Swanson to slot in at left-back, having impressed on a number of occasions last season.
Despite missing much of pre-season due as he continued his recovery from knee surgery in April, the ex-Arsenal man collected valuable minutes against Darmstadt and West Ham, paving the way to start against QPR this weekend.