page_title: Jan Kirchhoff
section_title: Sunderland
hierarchical_section_title: Jan Kirchhoff / Club career / Sunderland
caption_attribution_description: Sunderland 3 Chelsea2
context_page_description: Jan Tilman Kirchhoff is a German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or defensive midfielder for KFC Uerdingen 05.
context_section_description: On 7 January 2016, Kirchhoff signed an 18-month contract with Sunderland for an undisclosed fee. 
  On 16 January 2016, Kirchhoff made his debut for Sunderland as a 59th-minute substitute, in a 4–1 loss against Tottenham Hotspur. Kirchhoff made a poor start as he deflected a shot from Christian Eriksen which led to a goal, and conceded a penalty with a foul on Danny Rose. The German was then deployed mainly as a defensive midfielder and earned plaudits due to his precise tackling and passing. Kirchhoff was voted the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for April for his performances as Sunderland fought against relegation. Kirchhoff's efforts paid off as Sunderland managed to survive relegation thanks to a 3–0 win over Everton on 11 May 2016 with goals coming from defenders Patrick van Aanholt and a brace from Lamine Koné. At the end of the 2015–16 season, he made fifteen appearances in all competitions.
  However at the start of the 2016–17 season, Kirchhoff suffered a hamstring injury during a 1–1 draw against Montpellier in a friendly match and was sidelined for a month. It wasn't until on 12 September 2016 when Kirchhoff returned to the starting line–up and played 76 minutes before being substituted, in a 3–0 loss against Everton. Following this, the club's poor form in the next two matches led him speaking out on the poor performance. Kirchhoff also later said in an interview with The Atlantic that he had a difficult relationship with Manager David Moyes. However during a 1–1 draw against West Bromwich Albion on 1 October 2016, Kirchhoff suffered a hamstring injury in the 57th minute and was substituted a result. Following this, it was announced that he would be out for six weeks. It wasn't until on 3 December 2016 when Kirchhoff returned to the starting line–up against Leicester City, setting up the club's first goal of the game, in a 2–1 win. Two weeks later on 17 December 2016 during a 1–0 loss against Chelsea, he suffered a knee ligament injury in the 57th minutes and was substituted. Following this, it was announced that Kirchhoff was out for the rest of the 2016–17 season. Having made nine appearances in all competitions, Kirchhoff left Sunderland when his contract expired at the end of the 2016–17 season.
caption: Kirchhoff (left) playing for Sunderland against Chelsea on 7 May 2016.
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