Youngster turns down Newcastle United to stay at Sunderland

This Sunderland youngster is set to stay.

Sunderland prodigy Chris Rigg has reportedly turned down approaches from Manchester United and rivals Newcastle United to stay at the Stadium of Light.

Rigg, 16, made headlines earlier in the year when reports linked him with a host of Premier League clubs.

Soon after he was making his first-team debut for the Black Cats during an FA Cup tie v Shrewsbury Town.

And after ongoing links to the likes of Newcastle United, The Athletic's Jacob Whitehead revealed on Twitter earlier today that Rigg has turned down approaches from both Newcastle and Manchester United to remain with Sunderland.

Whitehead went on to reveal that Rigg was 'free to join any club', but that he's instead committed his future to Sunderland and is set to sign a two-year scholarship with the club.

Whitehead tweeted:

16-year-old Chris Rigg has rejected overtures from #NUFC and #MUFC to stay at Sunderland.

Having made his senior debut at 15, he was free to join any club - but is set to sign a two-year scholarship contract on Wearside.

✍️ @mwalker2771 https://t.co/zYa3T5UePu

— Jacob Whitehead (@jwhitey98) June 26, 2023

Rigg set to stay...

Rigg opting to stay at Sunderland over a move to one of Newcastle or Manchester United speaks volumes of the Black Cats.

They have a few in demand younger players but so far, most look to be staying on Wearside, and it's easy to see why - the Academy of Light is producing some top players and Tony Mowbray is giving them chances in the first-team, which is much better for their progression than playing United or Newcastle's youth sides until they're 19, 20 years old.

Rigg now has to press on and keep himself in Mowbray's first-team plans going forward. It's unlikely that he features much next season, but if he can continue to impress then Mowbray might even give him his league debut for the club.

He certainly has a bright future ahead of him and Sunderland can now look forward to having him on their books for the next two years.

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