Report: Ireland-Eligible Prospect Makes Unexpected Nationality Choice

The saga over Dennis Cirkin's international eligibility appears to be over, according to reports from Turkey, with the youngster deciding against lining out for Ireland.

Sunderland left-back Cirkin is eligible for Ireland, having been born in Dublin.

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He has long been linked with a senior call-up for Ireland, with Stephen Kenny and Heimir Hallgrímsson both seemingly keen on the youngster.

Cirkin is eligible for both Ireland and England. His family moved to England when he was three years old, allowing him the possibility of declaring for the team at international level.

It seemed as though he was leaning towards England when he was called up to the U21 side by Lee Carsley on two occasions earlier this year, though he pulled out through injury on both occasions.

However, the saga has taken an unexpected twist, with reports that Cirkin has decided to declare for Azerbaijan at senior level.

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Ireland-eligible Dennis Cirkin reportedly decides on Azerbaijan

Reports in Turkey suggest Dennis Cirkin has decided to declare for Azerbaijan.

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Sunderland’in 23 yaşındaki sol beki Dennis Çirkin, Azerbaycan milli takımını seçti. Ayrıca Arthur Masuaku’nun transferiyle Dennis Çirkin’in Tottenham’a transferi söz konusu. (Football Insider) Çirkin’in babası aslen Hataylı. pic.twitter.com/WUzbusm7zD — Asist Analiz (@asistanaliz) August 16, 2025

Istanbul-based Asist Analiz said on Saturday that Cirkin has "chosen" the Azerbaijani national team, snubbing the four other countries he is eligible to play for at international level.

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It is a complicated situation, with Cirkin's father reportedly from Hatay, an area of Turkey with Azerbaijani links. Reports in Turkey suggested that Cirkin had been called up by Turkey earlier this year, but declined.

The decision to declare for Azerbaijan is an unexpected one, and Cirkin was evidently in high demand from four different countries.

One of the highest-rated young defenders in England, it never seemed hugely likely that Dennis Cirkin was going to declare for Ireland, but it is disappointing nonetheless that it appears to have been confirmed.

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