At just 18 years old, Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg has already carved his name into the club’s history books. The teenager has made more than 70 senior appearances before his 18th birthday, becoming the Black Cats’ youngest-ever outfield player and winning personal accolades such as Championship Goal of the Month and Goal of the Season.
Rigg insists his rise is a product of the player pathway at the Academy of Light, and he believes Sunderland is the ideal environment to continue his growth.
“I think this is the best club for me to continue developing,” Rigg told club media.
“Everyone here has full faith in me, and I want to repay that faith by showing what I can do. The lads could have just put me to one side because I was so young, but instead they helped me grow as a player and as a person. The staff were brilliant too, and now I just want to kick on and gain more experience in the Premier League.”
Premier League Debut and Learning Curve
Rigg made his Premier League debut in Sunderland’s 3-0 win over West Ham United, a moment he described as “surreal.” Having debuted as a schoolboy, the midfielder now trains and competes alongside top-level professionals.
“It feels surreal because it was only yesterday I was making my debut, and now I’ve played in the Premier League. I couldn’t ask for much more, really. I’m just so grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way.”
This season, Rigg has also featured in the EFL Cup, delivering a performance full of maturity and energy in midfield.
Influence of Granit Xhaka
The summer signing of Granit Xhaka has already had a profound impact on Rigg, who is eager to learn from the Swiss international’s experience.
“It’s amazing to be around someone like Granit. You can see how dedicated he is, and he’s already been a huge influence. For me, to learn from one of the best players in the world is unbelievable and something I’m so grateful for.”
Chris Rigg – EFL Cup Performance (26 Aug 2025)
| Stat | Chris Rigg |
|---|---|
| Shots | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Touches | 57 |
| Big Chances Created | 1 |
| Key Passes | 1 |
| Pass Accuracy | 29 (73%) |
| Acc. Own Half | 5 (100%) |
| Acc. Opp. Half | 24 (67%) |
| Tackles per Game | 2.0 |
| Balls Recovered | 2.0 |
| Dribbled Past | 1.0 |
| Total Duels Won | 3 (25%) |
| Ground Duels Won | 3 (30%) |
source: sofascore match data – 26 August 2025
The numbers show Rigg’s willingness to influence both phases of the game. His creativity (big chance created, key passes) combined with work rate (2 tackles, 2 recoveries) underline why he is trusted at such a young age.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Sunderland have unearthed a generational talent:
“Chris Rigg is the real deal. To play 70+ games before turning 18 is unheard of, and what stands out is not just his technical ability but his maturity. Sunderland are giving him a platform to learn without pressure, and the arrival of Xhaka could accelerate his development even further.”
He added: “If Rigg continues this trajectory, Sunderland may not just establish themselves in the Premier League — they could build a midfield around him for the next decade.”
Key Insights
- Chris Rigg, 18, has already made 70+ senior appearances for Sunderland.
- Youngest-ever outfield player in the club’s history.
- Made his Premier League debut in 3-0 win vs West Ham.
- EFL Cup stats show creativity (1 big chance, 1 key pass) and work rate.
- Rigg praises Granit Xhaka’s influence and Sunderland’s faith in him.
What’s Next for Chris Rigg?
With his first Premier League season underway, Rigg is focused on cementing his place in Sunderland’s starting XI and continuing to learn from senior figures like Xhaka.
His long-term goal is clear: help Sunderland establish themselves as a Premier League mainstay and, in his words, “challenge the biggest teams” in the coming years.
Is Chris Rigg the next homegrown star to rise from Sunderland into Premier League stardom?
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