Everything you need to know about Sunderland’s record-breaking future star Chris Rigg from his contract information to his Newcastle links.
While there has been much doom and gloom around the Stadium of Light throughout 2024, one bright spark has been Rigg.
The academy graduate managed to force his way into Mike Dodds’ side after the Black Cats suffered a massive dip in form amid a terrible injury crisis. Since then, Riggs has been one of Sunderland’s stand-out players and has started seven of their last nine matches.
As each game passes, the midfielder continues to improve in the first team. In the 1-0 victory over West Brom, the midfielder was credited with having his ‘best all-round performance’ as they came away with three points.
With a big future ahead of him, here are eight facts you need to know about Sunderland’s next big star.
How old is Chris Rigg?
Rigg was born on June 18, 2007. At the time of writing, this makes the midfielder 16 years old. As it stands, Rigg is the youngster first-team player currently at Sunderland.
How tall is Rigg?
Rigg stands at 177cm which is the equivalent of 5 foot 8 inches.
Does Chris Rigg hold the record for Sunderland’s youngster-ever player?
Sunderland’s current youngster-ever player is goalkeeper Derek Foster. The goalkeeper made his debut for the Black Cats in 1964 at 15 years and 185 days old.
This was a record for the First Division which held until 2022 when Ethan Nwaneri made his first appearance for Arsenal.
For Sunderland, Rigg ranks second for the club’s youngster debutants. The midfielder made his first appearance on January 7, 2023, in a 2-1 victory against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup. Rigg was 15 years and 202 days old at the time.
However, this does mean that Rigg is the youngster-ever outfield player to make his first-team debut for Sunderland.
How much is he getting paid?
With the midfielder still very young, he is reportedly not earning as much as some senior players. It is believed that Rigg is currently on £1k-a-week at the club, making him the lowest earner in the first-team
How long is Rigg’s contract with Sunderland?
Despite becoming a regular in the starting XI, Rigg has not renewed his contract since he signed a two-year deal in 2023. As it stands, the midfielder’s contract will expire in 2025.
However, with Rigg set to turn 17 in the coming months, it is believed that an agreement is in place for him to sign professional terms with Sunderland.
Who does Chris Rigg support?
Despite playing for the Black Cats, it is reported that Rigg’s allegiances may remain elsewhere. According to the Northern Echo back in 2023, the midfielder grew up in a family that supports fierce rivals Newcastle.
Speaking on why he chose to play for Sunderland, Rigg responded by stating that ‘it was the right place for his development’.
Does he play internationally?
An English youngster, Rigg has become a regular in the Three Lions youth set-up. The midfielder currently has two England U18 caps as well as 11 England U17 caps.
Rigg also captained the U17s side earlier this year when his ability stood out in the qualification for the European Championships. However, he would later be sent off against France in the same international break.
Who is Chris Rigg linked with?
As a result of his sensational form and his unlimited potential, multiple clubs have been keeping tabs on the 16-year-old.
It has been reported that ‘most’ Premier League clubs are looking to sign Rigg. Newcastle has been the most prominent name mentioned with the Magpies previously attempting to acquire his signature.
It remains to be seen whether Sunderland can keep hold of their prize jewel this summer.
