Sunderland are actively negotiating a new and improved contract with their highly-rated 18-year-old midfielder Chris Rigg, as they aim to fend off interest from several top Premier League clubs. The Black Cats, newly promoted to the top flight, are determined to secure the long-term future of their academy graduate, who has emerged as one of English football’s brightest young talents.
Despite turning 18 just last month, Rigg was a near-constant presence in Sunderland’s Championship campaign last season, making 45 league appearances and scoring four goals under manager Regis Le Bris. His versatility, able to play in attacking midfield or out wide, combined with his maturity and technical ability, has caught the eye of clubs like Everton and West Ham, among others. However, Sunderland are keen to keep hold of their homegrown star as they prepare for their first Premier League season since 2017.
Rigg, an England Under-19 international, signed a contract until 2027 last July, but Express Sport reports that discussions are underway to extend his deal with an improved salary. Sources close to the player suggest that Rigg is content to remain in the familiar surroundings of the north-east, where he believes he has the best chance of securing regular Premier League minutes. This sentiment aligns with Sunderland’s ambition to build their future around young, dynamic talents like Rigg.
The club has not been shy in the transfer market this summer, spending heavily on players such as Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, Enzo Le Fee, Chemsdine Talbi, and Noah Sadiki. However, the sales of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund and Tommy Watson to Brighton have helped balance the books, reducing the financial pressure to cash in on Rigg, despite the potential for a significant transfer fee.
Le Bris has been vocal about Rigg’s importance to Sunderland’s identity, praising his maturity and team-oriented mentality. Speaking last season, the manager said, “Chris Rigg is a good symbol of what we want to create and what we want to build as a team and as a club. I don’t think the age is a problem. You can have a high level of maturity at 17 and you can have a low level of maturity at 30. It depends on the player’s personality. Chris still wants to improve, he still wants to understand the game. Chris has this character, this personality to play whatever the circumstances so I like that. He is also a very good team-mate so he is a very good symbol for us.”
Rigg’s potential was further underlined by his inclusion in England’s Under-19 squad for this summer’s European Championship, though an injury forced him to withdraw. As Sunderland prepare for the challenges of the Premier League, keeping Rigg at the Stadium of Light could prove a statement of intent, signaling their ambition to compete and establish themselves in the top flight.With negotiations ongoing, Sunderland fans will be hopeful that Rigg, a player who embodies the club’s vision, will commit his future to the Black Cats and continue his rapid rise in the Premier League.
