CHRIS RIGG has reportedly boosted Sunderland by rejecting a move to arch-rivals Newcastle.
The promising teenager attracted interest from the Magpies and Manchester United after his progress with the Black Cats.
GettyChris Rigg has reportedly decided to stay at Sunderland[/caption]
Rigg, 16, made his first team debut last season as he appeared in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury when he was just 15.
In doing so, he became Sunderland’s youngest outfield player EVER.
He also featured against Fulham in the competition and thought he had scored a late winner, only for it to be ruled out for offisde.
He is currently free to sign for any club but, according to The Athletic he will opt for a stay at Sunderland.
The report claims that he will sign a two-year scholarship contract with the club.
If he had chosen to leave Sunderland then a fee would have been decided by a tribunal to compensate the club for developing him.
It comes as a boost to the club as it looked like he would leave it at a point last season.
Rigg’s performances for Sunderland’s youth team and in the first team have seen him be raved about.
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As many consider him to be the best of his age in the country.
A move to Newcastle would have been highly controversial due to the big rivalry between the two Northern clubs.
Sunderland managed to make the Championship playoffs in their first season back in the division last campaign.
Although they were beaten by Luton Town over two legs.
But the Black Cats are still aiming for promotion back to the Premier League and have added Jobe Bellingham, the brother of Real Madrid summer signing Jude to their squad.
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