Newcastle United & Man United target due to arrive at North East training ground to sign two-year contract

Chris Rigg has decided to remain at Sunderland, despite interest from Newcastle United and Manchester United.

Rigg, whose Dad is a Newcastle fan, became the Black Cats’ youngest-ever outfield player when he made an FA Cup appearance aged 15 years and 203 days against Shrewsbury Town in January.

Hebburn-born Rigg featured twice against Fulham in the same competition and was set to be handed further first-team opportunities before picking up an injury at the back end of last season.

Multiple sources had suggested Rigg would swap Wearside for Tyneside this summer but as per The Athletic, the midfielder will sign a two-year scholarship contract to stay at the former.

The Sunderland Echo reports Rigg is due at Sunderland’s Academy of Light at 1pm this afternoon (June 27) to officially put pen to paper on his deal.

Speaking in January, Rigg, who has represented England at various youth levels, said: “It’s been a very busy year, starting to get the England call-ups and playing for our Under-21s at club level, training with the first team.

“I don’t see that as surreal, though, because that’s my level. My standards are really high. I want to be at the top all the time, so whilst it’s been such a busy year, it’s been a really good one for me and my family.”

Newcastle have been on the lookout for emerging talent since Dan Ashworth joined the club as sporting director last summer.

Charlie McArthur and Alex Murphy were among the standout names to join last year from Kilmarnock and Galway United, respectively.

In January, Australian international Garang Kuol joined from Central Coast Mariners, while Yankuba Minteh’s move from Danish outfit Odense was confirmed earlier this month.