Niall Huggins has endured a frustrating couple of seasons since leaving Leeds for Sunderland in 2021, but he is starting to turn things around – winning his first National Team call-up with Wales.
Huggins, 22, made his debut for Leeds in a 4-2 defeat to Arsenal under Marcelo Bielsa. But in 2021, Huggins’ contract expired and he chose to leave – moving to Sunderland. Injury hampered his start.
So much so, that he managed just eight outings for Sunderland in his first two years at the Stadium of Light. But this season, Huggins has excelled. He has come into Sunderland’s side under Tony Mowbray.
Huggins has started Sunderland’s last 10 Championship matches. His form has caught the eye of Rob Page, who has now called him up to the Wales squad – for games against Armenia, and then Turkey.
“I really like Niall,” Page told Wales Online. “I have done for a while. He’s athletic. Full of energy. He can play both sides for us. How we play I think he suits us. He fits in with how we want to play really well.”
Niall Huggins wins first Wales call-up after Leeds exit in 2021
Huggins is a top talent. His form in the Leeds 21’s, whether that was on either side of the defence, out wide or in midfield, was eye-catching. Enough to win a senior debut under Elland Road legend Bielsa.
It is nice to see Huggins finally realising his potential. He showed the kind of quality and promise of a possible Premier League player, in the future. Now, he is showing it. Huggins is technically, superb.
Now, he links up with Leeds trio Dan James, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu as Wales take on two key European qualifiers. Wales sit second, this being their final two games. Two wins, and they qualify.
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