‘My club’ - Sunderland wonderkid gives Newcastle United £40m transfer answer
Chris Rigg has revealed he is Sunderland to the core and dismissed the Newcastle United speculation.
A teenage prodigy, the midfielder became Sunderland’s youngest-ever outfield player aged 15 in January 2023. Rigg - still just 17 - has developed into a star performer for the Black Cats on their quest for Premier League promotion.
An England captain at youth level, Rigg - valued at around £40million - now plays for the under-19 setup despite being two years younger. Sunderland regard him as their best academy product since Jordan Pickford emerged in 2017.
Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund have reportedly been rivalling Newcastle for his signature. The Magpies may have considered his black-and-white roots as a trump card in any potential negotiations.
Rigg’s allegiance has created debate since he burst on the scene but the youngster is now a fully-fledged Sunderland supporter. Speaking to The Telegraph, the Black Cats star opened up about where his loyalties lie.
His father, also called Chris, is now supposedly a “secret Mackem” despite his Newcastle background. Rigg said: “The best decision I made was coming to Sunderland. For them to put me in the team at 15, I don’t think many would take that risk.
“It’s been so important for me. I could have signed for Premier League clubs and not played anywhere near the number of games. If you look at the England squad, virtually all of them have played in the EFL at some point, whether that was on loan or starting their career in the lower leagues. It’s sped up my progress undoubtedly.
“Sunderland are my club, I’ve been here my whole life. I come from a family of Newcastle fans, there is no point hiding that, but it changes when you play for Sunderland in front of those fans.
“My family being Newcastle fans has no impact on me. It doesn’t change the way I feel about Sunderland. The fans have been unbelievable. They could have thought, ‘Nah, he’s a Newcastle fan’ or whatever, but I think I’ve shown what this club means to me. It’s not really a debate.
“My dad gives me a little bit of stick, but he comes to all Sunderland’s games. I think he is a secret Mackem now. He puts his son above everything, he loves watching me and he absolutely loves coming to our games.”
Sunderland boss downplayed Chris Rigg interest
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris insisted speculation regarding Rigg is a sign he has performed well this season. He said in March: "Not at all (whether there has been any concrete interest). But it's positive for the club, it's positive for Riggy as well because it shows that he did well so far and he's really well connected with Sunderland so for me his main focus will be with us, no worries."