Niall Huggins

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Niall Huggins
Personal information
Full name Niall Joseph Huggins[1]
Date of birth (2000-12-18) 18 December 2000 (age 20)
Place of birth York, England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Left-back
Club information
Current team
 Sunderland
Youth career
2007–2009 Heworth
2009–2020 Leeds United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 Leeds United 1 (0)
2021– Sunderland 0 (0)
National team‡
2019– Wales U21 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:27, 14 February 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 26 March 2021 (UTC)

Niall Joseph Huggins (born 18 December 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for EFL League One club Sunderland. Born in England, he represents Wales internationally.

Early life[]

Huggins was born in York and grew up in Fulford, on the outskirts of York.[3][4] He attended Fulford School in Fulford.[4]

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.[5][4] He graduated through their academy and, alongside Clarke, signed a two-year scholarship with Leeds United in May 2017.[4] 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".[4] Following his two-year scholarship, he signed a year-long professional contract with Leeds in May 2019.[6] In December 2020, he signed a contract lasting until the end of the 2022–23 season.[7] Huggins made his professional debut as a 54th-minute substitute for Ezgjan Alioski in a 4–2 defeat at Arsenal on 14 February 2021.[8][9]

Sunderland[]

On 20 August 2021, Huggins joined EFL League One side Sunderland on a four-year deal.[10][11] It was reported by BBC Radio Leeds that he joined the club on a free transfer, but the deal included a sell-on fee.[10]

International career[]

Huggins was born in England, and is of Welsh descent through his father.[12] Huggins made his debut for the Wales national under-21 side on 9 June 2019 in a 2–1 defeat to Albania.[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[]

As of 23 August 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Leeds United 2020–21[15] Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Leeds United U21 2020–21[15] — — — 1[a] 0 1 0
Sunderland 2021–22[16] EFL League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

References[]

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

External links[]

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