Sunderland star Niall Huggins has claimed that he was ushered out of the door at Leeds United and was never given a reason why, despite being well-liked by Marcelo Bielsa before his exit in 2021.
Huggins left Leeds in the summer of 2021 despite making his professional debut for the club’s first team – a 4-2 Premier League loss to Arsenal. He was on the bench for eight other League games that season.
Despite that, Huggins has told Y Clwb Pel-Droed that he felt as though he was forced out of Leeds. Told he had no future at the club despite Bielsa liking him – leaving the versatile star frustrated and confused.
“I thought I was doing really well. I made my debut in the December, which was the best day of my life – playing for my boyhood club. I did well, and I was on the bench quite a lot until the end of the season.
“The manager at the time [Bielsa] liked me, but then I had a call telling me I probably wasn’t going to be involved the next season. Never really got an exact answer why. It was a bit frustrating,” Huggins added.
Leeds made a mistake in letting Niall Huggins go to Sunderland
Huggins went to Sunderland that summer and has had to endure a number of injuries, but this season – has been superb. He has started 11 League games in a row for Tony Mowbray’s side, left and right-back.
In that time, he has had a hand in two goals – an assist against QPR and a goal against Watford. His form has even earned Huggins a call-up to the senior Wales squad. A mistake then, perhaps, for Leeds to sell.
Maybe, Leeds might have been better off loaning Huggins out – which would have been a more sensible option given Bielsa liked him and given, he was involved in the side. A loan exit would have made sense.
But fair play to Huggins, who has gone to Sunderland and after some horrible back injuries, he has got back on the horse and is now making something of his career at a good level – alongside Jack Clarke.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
