Sunderland have earned praise following their club announcement on Wednesday evening.
Fans have quickly run out of compliments to pay Sunderland and new manager Regis Le Bris this season, following hat’s been a whirlwind start to the new campaign.
Despite being held to a 2-2 draw against Leeds United at the Stadium of Light last time out, the Black Cats find themselves in 1st place of the Championship table.
Sunderland return to action against Hull City this weekend. The game comes at an interesting time with Aaron Connolly poised to make his Sunderland debut against his former club.
Kristjaan Speakman bolstered the Sunderland first-team squad well during the summer, adding quality and depth.
Sunderland have often suffered with injuries. But Le Bris has a squad size that can cope with some injured players, with Niall Huggins one.
The 23-year-old has been sidelined since December 2023 after suffering a serious knee injury. His contract was due to expire at the end of this season but the club has now handed him an extended deal.
Niall Huggins signs new Sunderland contract
Sunderland announced on Wednesday that Huggins has signed an extended contract, committing his future on Wearside until the summer of 2026, with a club option for another year.
It shows the Black Cats’ loyalty to players having done similar with Corry Evans last year following his serious knee injury, and also with Aji Alese last season.
Reacting to the news of Huggins’ new deal, journalist Michael Graham took to X to praise the club, posting: “Good to see Niall Huggins get a new deal.
“Got to do right by your injured players and his talent is worth believing in”
Since joining from Leeds United in 2021, Huggins has made 24 league appearances for the Black Cats.
19 of those league appearances came last season as Huggins was really starting to fulfil is potential with the Black Cats, before injury curtailed his campaign.
When will Niall Huggins return to action?
The last injury update we received on Huggins came during the summer, when Speakman simply revealed that Huggins was ‘progressing well’.
Upon his injury last time round, Huggins was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, but he looks poised to make his return sometime this season.
Little has been reported however, and so we’re simply waiting to hear more.
What’s been said after Niall Huggins signs new Sunderland contract?
Speaking to the club after signing a new deal, Huggins said: “It’s been a tough year for me, so I appreciate the Club backing me and seeing my potential.
“I’m delighted to sign this contract and I’m grateful for the continued support I receive from my team-mates, the staff, and the supporters.
“My focus now is to keep working as hard as I can to ensure that I get back to the level I know I’m capable of.”
Speakman added: “Niall experienced a significant injury just as he had established himself in the team but despite this disappointment, his response has been first class.
“He continues to work extremely hard to put himself in a positive position as he continues his rehabilitation.
“This extension removes any ambiguity over his status next summer and allows our focus to be on supporting him over the coming weeks and months.”