Niall Huggins Explained

Niall Huggins
Fullname:Niall Joseph Huggins[1]
Birth Date:18 December 2000
Birth Place:York, England
Height:1.73m (05.68feet)[2]
Position:Right-back
Currentclub:Sunderland
Clubnumber:2
Youthyears1:2007–2009
Youthclubs1:Heworth
Youthyears2:2009–2020
Youthclubs2:Leeds United
Years1:2020–2021
Clubs1:Leeds United
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:2021–
Clubs2:Sunderland
Caps2:22
Goals2:1
Nationalyears1:2019–2023
Nationalteam1:Wales U21
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:00:10, 27 December 2023 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:8 November 2023 (UTC)

Niall Joseph Huggins (born 18 December 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a full-back for club Sunderland and the Wales national team.

Early life

Huggins was born in York and grew up in Fulford, on the outskirts of York.[3] He attended Fulford School in Fulford.

Club career

Leeds United

After winning his division with under-8s junior side Heworth, he joined Leeds United's academy in 2009, alongside Kane Rogerson and future professional Jack Clarke.[4] He graduated through their academy and, alongside Clarke, signed a two-year scholarship with Leeds United in May 2017. Upon signing his scholarship deal with Leeds United, he stated that he was "looking forward to the next two years", adding that he will be "working hard and putting all my effort into, hopefully, getting a 'pro' deal at the end of it". Following his two-year scholarship, he signed a year-long professional contract with Leeds in May 2019.[5] In December 2020, he signed a contract lasting until the end of the 2022–23 season.[6] Huggins made his professional debut as a 54th-minute substitute for Ezgjan Alioski in a 4–2 defeat at Arsenal on 14 February 2021.[7] [8]

Sunderland

On 20 August 2021, Huggins joined EFL League One side Sunderland on a four-year deal.[9] [10] It was reported by BBC Radio Leeds that he joined the club on a free transfer, but the deal included a sell-on fee.

On 4 October 2023, Huggins scored his first professional goal for Sunderland against Watford in a 2–0 home win.

International career

Huggins qualifies for Wales through his Welsh born father.[11] Huggins made his debut for the Wales national under-21 side on 9 June 2019 in a 2–1 defeat to Albania.[12]

In November 2023 Huggins was called up to the senior Wales squad for the first time.[13]

Style of play

Huggins played as a forward for Leeds' under-18 side, but transitioned to play as a left-back for their under-23 side.[14]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leeds United2020–21Premier League1000000010
Leeds United U212020–211010
Sunderland2021–22League One2000200040
2022–23Championship1010002040
2023–24Championship182001000192
Total212103020272
Career total222103030292

Honours

Sunderland

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed . 10 January 2021 . premierleague.com . Premier League .
  2. Web site: Niall Huggins . 10 January 2021 . worldfootball.net .
  3. Web site: Appleyard . Ian . 18 May 2017 . York teenagers land two year scholarships at Championship club Leeds United . 10 January 2021 . York Press.
  4. Web site: 2 May 2009 . Talented U8s take title glory . 10 January 2021 . York Press.
  5. Web site: 22 May 2019 . Niall Huggins agrees professional contract . 10 January 2021 . leedsunited.com . Leeds United F.C..
  6. Web site: Rayner . Stuart . 4 December 2020 . Wales Under-21 international Niall Huggins latest youngster added to Leeds United's future plans . 10 January 2021 . The Yorkshire Post.
  7. Web site: Sobot . Lee . 14 February 2021 . Arsenal 4 Leeds United 2: First-half Gunners blitz costs Whites as Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang nets treble . 14 February 2021 . Yorkshire Evening Post . en.
  8. Web site: Sobot . Lee . 14 February 2021 . Spotlight on Niall Huggins as versatile Leeds United youngster makes his Whites debut against Arsenal . 14 February 2021 . Yorkshire Evening Post . en.
  9. Web site: 20 August 2021 . Niall Huggins: Sunderland sign full-back from Leeds United . 23 August 2021 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  10. Web site: Jones . Matty . 20 August 2021 . Niall Huggins signs a four-year deal at Sunderland . 23 August 2021 . The Northern Echo . en.
  11. Web site: Davies . Mathew . 15 February 2021 . Who is Niall Huggins, the Welsh Leeds starlet who impressed against Arsenal . 15 February 2021 . WalesOnline . en.
  12. Web site: 9 June 2019 . U21s fall short in Albania despite late comeback . 10 January 2021 . faw.cymru . Football Association of Wales.
  13. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67351886 Huggins Wales call-up
  14. Web site: Byrom . David . 4 December 2020 . Barry Douglas sends message to Niall Huggins as youngster signs new contract . 10 January 2021 . LeedsLive.
  15. News: Sunderland 2–0 Wycombe . Chris . Paddy . BBC Sport . 21 May 2022 . 1 June 2022.