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16th August 2025
06:27pm BST
There was hope that Ireland would be soon be getting another Premier League player into their squad, in the shape of Sunderland's Dennis Cirkin.
The defender was born in Dublin to Latvian parents before moving to London when he was three years old.
He has represented England from U16s to U20s, and was named in an U21s squad back in March by manager Lee Carsley.
Both Stephen Kenny and current Ireland Heimir Hallgrimsson were reportedly interested in capturing him.
However, as well as England, Ireland, and Latvia, he is also qualified for Turkey and Azerbaijan.
And in a surprise move, it is the latter who he has declared for, according to reports in Turkey.
After beating Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final in May, Cirkin said: "I've been here before and it's special. 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."
"It means so much more than anything else to put a smile on their faces, to get this city back to where it belongs.
"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."
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