The £1m star was like the next Defoe, now he looks set to finish at Sunderland
As with the latest fuel prices in the United Kingdom, Sunderland Football Club has reached the highest level imaginable in the Premier League during 2025/26.
From a double win over Newcastle United to a win over the likes of Chelsea, it has truly been a campaign to remember for Black Cats fans.
However, as seen in many gas stations across the country, demand is increasing as the weeks pass, something Regis Le Bris also has to deal with at the Stadium of Light.
With the club above their Tyne-Wear rivals and eyeing another year in the top flight, it is up to the 50-year-old to provide the continued success the fans are used to.
The board will no doubt spend big again this window to continue the progress made under the Frenchman, but they will do well to land a player who has captured the hearts of fans like Jermain Defoe.
The statistics behind Jermain Defoe’s success at Sunderland
Back in January 2015, Sunderland acquired the services of the former England international from Toronto FC, with flop Jozy Altidore going in a different direction.
He would spend two-and-a-half years in the senior ranks on Wearside, finding the net for the Black Cats 37 times in his 93 appearances in all competitions.
His efforts saw him quickly become a fan favorite at the Stadium of Light, and he managed to register 15 goals in two separate campaigns in the top flight.
Defoe’s efforts on the pitch also saw him capture the hearts of the fanbase, with the striker playing a major role in the life of young supporter Bradley Lowery.
The now-retired player was unable to keep the club in the top flight despite his fine goalscoring form, leading to his departure in the summer of 2017.
He still sits second in the Premier League’s all-time goalscoring chart, with his impact on and off the pitch making him a club legend in the North East.
A Defoe-esque Sunderland man could be eliminated at the Stadium of Light
After securing a return to the top flight, it was vital that Sunderland spent heavily in various areas of the team to give themselves the best chance of avoiding a relegation to the second tier.
Brian Brobbey was signed from Ajax for £21m in a report that included add-ons, with the Dutchman tasked with providing the goods – just like Defoe did last time out in the Premier League.
Sunderland’s most expensive signing ever
Who added the record for the Black Cats?
The 24-year-old has scored six goals so far, with his latest goal against local rivals Newcastle earning fans bragging rights.
Although he still has a long way to go before he can emulate the levels the Englishman is producing, he has certainly made a good start to his career on Wearside.
However, another player in the squad was starting to look like the next Defoe at the Stadium of Light, with defender Dennis Cirkin following in the striker’s footsteps.
The Latvian international joined Tottenham Hotspur for £1m back in the summer of 2021 – the club the striker played for earlier in his career.
Like Defoe, he made an immediate impact at the Stadium of Light, subsequently scoring 41 times during his first campaign with the club down in League One.
He has been a consistent first-team starter throughout the Championship years, even making 39 appearances last term in the promotion-winning campaign.
However, he has been the target of the club’s massive investment in recent times, with the 24-year-old left after adding Reinildo in the summer to Le Bris’ pecking order.
Cirkin has now made just seven league appearances this campaign, and only three of those have come in a starting role – where he started back in January.
|
A few PL minutes played for Sunderland (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
The player |
Minutes |
|
Dan Neil |
13 |
|
Patrick Roberts |
27 |
|
Jocelin Ta Bi |
39 |
|
Arthur Masuaku |
127 |
|
Jenson Seelt |
134 |
|
Luke O’Nien |
227 |
|
Nilson Angulo |
257 |
|
Melker Ellborg |
270 |
|
Dennis Cirkin |
302 |
|
Romaine Mundle |
400 |
After his rise with the Black Cats, the ex-Spurs star will no doubt be frustrated by the lack of action, which could lead to a summer move to pastures new.
His current contract expires this summer, but it is still unclear whether management will offer the left-back a new deal or allow him to leave on a free transfer.
Reinildo’s form has certainly limited his senior minutes this term, with Cirkin needing consistent minutes to continue his development at the top level.
If he were to leave, it would be a sad sight, especially considering the work he did to help the club move from the depths of League One back into the Premier League.
However, like Defoe, all good things come to a sad end, and the manager will no doubt target further reinforcements to bolster the squad in the summer.
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