# Chris Rigg > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chris_Rigg > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chris_Rigg.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Rigg > Source revision: 1356525875 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|English footballer (born 2007)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Chris Rigg |image = File:Chrisriggsafcplayerawards.jpg |caption = Rigg pictured at the 2023-24 Sunderland AFC Player Awards |full_name = Christopher John Rigg{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe808482/chris-rigg/|title=Chris Rigg|publisher=WorldFootball.net|access-date=7 January 2023}} |birth_date = {{birth date and age|2007|6|18|df=y}} |birth_place = [Hebburn](/source/Hebburn), England |height = {{convert|1.77|m|order=flip}} |currentclub = [Sunderland](/source/Sunderland_A.F.C.) |clubnumber = 11 |position = [Attacking midfielder](/source/Attacking_midfielder) |youthyears1 = 2017–2023 |youthclubs1 = [Sunderland](/source/Sunderland_A.F.C._Reserves_and_Academy) |years1 = 2023– |clubs1 = [Sunderland](/source/Sunderland_A.F.C.) |caps1 = 81 |goals1 = 7 |nationalyears1 = 2022 |nationalteam1 = [England U15](/source/England_national_under-15_football_team) |nationalcaps1 = 4 |nationalgoals1 = 2 |nationalyears2 = 2022–2023 |nationalteam2 = [England U16](/source/England_national_under-16_football_team) |nationalcaps2 = 9 |nationalgoals2 = 1 |nationalyears3 = 2022–2024 |nationalteam3 = [England U17](/source/England_national_under-17_football_team) |nationalcaps3 = 14 |nationalgoals3 = 2 |nationalyears4 = 2023– |nationalteam4 = [England U18](/source/England_national_under-18_football_team) |nationalcaps4 = 8 |nationalgoals4 = 0 |nationalyears5 = 2025– |nationalteam5 = [England U19](/source/England_national_under-19_football_team) |nationalcaps5 = 15 |nationalgoals5 = 4 |pcupdate = 18:01, 24 May 2026 (UTC) |ntupdate = 12:50, 16 April 2026 (UTC) }} '''Christopher John Rigg''' (born 18 June 2007) is an English professional [footballer](/source/association_football) who plays as a [midfielder](/source/midfielder) for {{English football updater|Sunderld}} club [Sunderland](/source/Sunderland_A.F.C.). ==Club career== ===Early life=== Born in [Hebburn](/source/Hebburn),{{cite web|first=Scott|last=Wilson|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/23237130.chris-rigg---sunderlands-youngest-outfield-player/|title=Who is Chris Rigg - Sunderland's youngest outfield player|date=9 January 2023|accessdate=9 January 2023|website=thenorthernecho.co.uk|archive-date=9 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109103116/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/23237130.chris-rigg---sunderlands-youngest-outfield-player/|url-status=live}} Rigg joined Sunderland while still in primary school. ===Sunderland=== With Sunderland facing numerous injuries in their squad, Rigg was named on the bench for the [EFL Championship](/source/EFL_Championship) game against [Blackpool](/source/Blackpool_F.C.) on 1 January 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/the-story-of-chris-riggs-remarkable-sunderland-call-up-and-what-happens-next-3971605|title=The story of Chris Rigg's remarkable Sunderland call-up - and what happens next|first=Phil|last=Smith|date=2 January 2023|accessdate=7 January 2023|website=sunderlancecho.com|archive-date=7 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107164928/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/the-story-of-chris-riggs-remarkable-sunderland-call-up-and-what-happens-next-3971605|url-status=live}} Less than a week later, he was again named on the bench, alongside fellow young player [Tom Watson](/source/Tom_Watson_(footballer%2C_born_2006)), for an [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) third round game against [Shrewsbury Town](/source/Shrewsbury_Town_F.C.), with manager [Tony Mowbray](/source/Tony_Mowbray) saying Rigg was "really impressive", having watched him train with the first team.{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-15-year-old-chris-25904495|title=Sunderland 15-year-old Chris Rigg ready for debut as Tony Mowbray makes 'impressive' statement|first=James|last=Hunter|date=5 January 2023|accessdate=7 January 2023|website=chroniclelive.co.uk|archive-date=6 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106121321/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-15-year-old-chris-25904495|url-status=live}} Rigg made his professional debut in the game against Shrewsbury Town on 7 January 2023, coming on as a substitute for [Édouard Michut](/source/%C3%89douard_Michut) in a 2–1 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64167957|title=Shrewsbury Town 1–2 Sunderland|date=7 January 2023|accessdate=7 January 2023|website=BBC Sport|archive-date=7 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107124502/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64167957|url-status=live}} In doing so, he became the second youngest player in Sunderland history, behind [Derek Forster](/source/Derek_Forster). Following his debut, he was promoted to the Sunderland first team, having to train with the squad only one or two days a week, as he was still in school at the time.{{cite web |url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/pretty-sure-tony-mowbray-explains-the-next-steps-in-chris-riggs-incredible-sunderland-journey-3978253|title='Pretty sure': Tony Mowbray explains the next steps in Chris Rigg's incredible Sunderland journey|first=Phil|last=Smith|date=8 January 2023 |accessdate=9 January 2023|website=sunderlandecho.com|archive-date=9 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109133249/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/pretty-sure-tony-mowbray-explains-the-next-steps-in-chris-riggs-incredible-sunderland-journey-3978253|url-status=live}} Rigg's second appearance came in the following round of the FA Cup against [Fulham](/source/Fulham_F.C.), replacing [Patrick Roberts](/source/Patrick_Roberts) in the 86th minute. In injury time, with the score at 1–1, he received a cut back from [Abdoullah Ba](/source/Abdoullah_Ba) before firing a shot into the roof of the Fulham net, only to have the goal disallowed due to Ba being offside.{{cite web |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chris-rigg-sunderland-fa-cup-26101073|title=Chris Rigg denied 'incredible' Fulham moment as Sunderland earn FA Cup replay|first=Matty|last=Hewitt|date=29 January 2023|accessdate=29 January 2023|website=chroniclelive.co.uk|archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129214718/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chris-rigg-sunderland-fa-cup-26101073|url-status=live}} He scored his first competitive goal for Sunderland in an [EFL Cup](/source/EFL_Cup) tie against [Crewe Alexandra](/source/Crewe_Alexandra_F.C.) on 8 August 2023.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66368450 |title=Sunderland 1-1 Crewe Alexandra (pens 3-5) - Visitors win on penalties in Carabao Cup first round|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 August 2023|access-date=10 August 2023}} With this goal, he not only became Sunderland's youngest ever goalscorer, but also the youngest goalscorer in the competition's history.{{Cite web |last=EFL|date=9 August 2023|title=Sunderland's Chris Rigg makes Carabao Cup history|url=https://efl.com/news/2023/august/09/sunderland-s-chris-rigg-makes-carabao-cup-history-/|access-date=2 September 2023|website=EFL}} On 2 September, Rigg scored on his league debut against [Southampton](/source/Southampton_F.C.), netting the final goal in a 5–0 home win.{{Cite news |last=Newsum|first=Matt|date=2 September 2023|title=Sunderland put five past in-form Southampton|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66624468|access-date=20 September 2023}} In doing so he became Sunderland's youngest ever league goalscorer, breaking a record held by [Jimmy Hamilton](/source/Jimmy_Hamilton_(footballer%2C_born_1955)) for over half a century.{{Cite web |last=Hunter|first=James|date=3 September 2023|title=Sunderland's teen star Chris Rigg rewrites the record books again|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderlands-teen-star-chris-rigg-27643862|access-date=20 September 2023|website=ChronicleLive|language=en}} Rigg's back-heeled goal against [Middlesbrough](/source/Middlesbrough_F.C.) on 21 September 2024 earnt him the [EFL Championship](/source/EFL_Championship) Goal of the Month award for September 2024.{{Cite web |last=EFL |date=18 October 2024 |title=Sky Bet Goal of the Month September winners |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/october/18/sky-bet-goal-of-the-month-september-winners/?fbclid=IwY2xjawF_WWFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaDqemGWjEYThyinBtSjlhUDaISGehLmGv2DY_MH7fEJ22aWjq8BdGm62g_aem_sAY3vYDfqZmL7QWZNqZjsQ |access-date=18 October 2024 |website=EFL |language=en}} On 27 April 2025, he was named [EFL Championship](/source/EFL_Championship) Apprentice of the Season.{{Cite web |last=EFL |date=27 April 2025 |title=LIVE: EFL Awards 2025 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/april/27/live--efl-awards-2025/ |access-date=28 April 2025 |website=EFL |language=en}} The season saw Sunderland achieve promotion to the [Premier League](/source/Premier_League) via the [play-offs](/source/2025_EFL_play-offs). Rigg made his Premier League debut on 16 August 2025, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 win against [West Ham United](/source/West_Ham_United). He scored his first Premier League goal on 19 April 2026, Sunderland's first goal in a 3–4 defeat to [Aston Villa](/source/Aston_Villa).{{cite web|title=Chris Rigg reflects on his first Premier League goal for Sunderland|url=https://www.safc.com/news/2026/april/19/chris-rigg-reflects-on-his-first-premier-league-goal-for-sunderland/|date=20 April 2026|accessdate=27 May 2026|work=Sunderland AFC}} ==International career== Rigg has represented England at youth international level. He captained England at under-16 level, before being promoted to the under-17 squad while still only fifteen. He made his [England U18](/source/England_national_under-18_football_team) debut during a 1–1 draw with [Belgium](/source/Belgium_national_under-18_football_team) in [Marbella](/source/Marbella) on 11 October 2023.{{cite news |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/Oct/11/england-mens-under-18s-belgium-report-marbella-football-centre-20231110|title=Report: Belgium 1–1 England MU18s|first=Nicholas|last=Veevers|website=EnglandFootball.com|date=11 October 2023|accessdate=12 October 2023}} On 2 November 2023, Rigg was included in the England squad for the [2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup](/source/2023_FIFA_U-17_World_Cup).{{cite news |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/Nov/02/england-mens-under-17-world-cup-squad-20231102|title=England squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup|first=Frank|last=Smith|website=EnglandFootball.com|date=2 November 2023|accessdate=12 November 2023}} He played his first game of the competition as a starter against [Iran](/source/Iran_national_under-17_football_team), winning the game 2–1.{{Cite web|accessdate=8 June 2024|title=England 2–1 Iran|date=14 November 2023|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/688172/iran-u17-england-u17|website=ESPN}} Rigg came off the bench as a substitute in their next group game against [Brazil](/source/Brazil_national_under-17_football_team) and then started in the round of sixteen defeat against [Uzbekistan](/source/Uzbekistan_national_under-17_football_team).{{Cite web|accessdate=8 June 2024|title=England 1–2 Brazil|date=17 November 2023|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/688184|website=ESPN}}{{Cite web|accessdate=8 June 2024|title=England 1–2 Uzbekistan|date=22 November 2023|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/688196/uzbekistan-u17-england-u17|website=ESPN}} On 20 May 2024, Rigg was included in the England squad for the [2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship](/source/2024_UEFA_European_Under-17_Championship).{{Cite web|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/May/20/england-mens-under-17s-squad-named-for-EURO-Finals-in-cyprus-20242005|website=EnglandFootball.com|accessdate=21 May 2024|date=20 May 2024|first=Nicholas|last=Veevers|title=England MU17s squad named for EURO Finals}} He captained the side during the tournament including their quarter-final elimination by [Italy](/source/Italy_national_under-17_football_team).{{Cite web|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/May/30/england-mu17s-italy-u17-euro-quarter-final-20243005|website=EnglandFootball.com|accessdate=8 June 2024|date=30 May 2024|first=Juliet|last=Nottingham|title=Report: England MU17s 1–1 Italy (4–5 on pens)}} On 19 March 2025, Rigg made his [England U19](/source/England_national_under-19_football_team) debut as a substitute during a 2–0 [2025 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification](/source/2025_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification) victory over [Wales](/source/Wales_national_under-19_football_team).{{Cite web|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2025/Mar/19/england-mens-under-19s-v-wales-euro-qualifying-match-report-20251903|website=EnglandFootball.com|accessdate=20 March 2025|date=19 March 2025|first=Duncan-Lee|last=Sulch|title=Report: Wales 0–2 England MU19s}} ==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 24 May 2026}}{{Soccerway|chris-rigg/792190}} {| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|[FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) !colspan=2|[EFL Cup](/source/EFL_Cup) !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="4"|[Sunderland](/source/Sunderland_A.F.C.) |[2022–23](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_Sunderland_A.F.C._season) |[Championship](/source/EFL_Championship) |0||0||3||0||0||0||0||0||3||0 |- |[2023–24](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_Sunderland_A.F.C._season) |Championship |21||2||0||0||1||1||colspan=2|—||22||3 |- |[2024–25](/source/2024%E2%80%9325_Sunderland_A.F.C._season) |Championship |42||4||1||0||1||0||3{{efn|Appearances in [EFL Championship play-offs](/source/EFL_Championship_play-offs)}}||0||47||4 |- |[2025–26](/source/2025%E2%80%9326_Sunderland_A.F.C._season) |[Premier League](/source/Premier_League) |18||1||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||20||1 |- !colspan=3|Career total !81||7||5||0||3||1||3||0||92||8 |} {{notelist}} ==Honours== '''Sunderland''' *[EFL Championship play-offs](/source/EFL_Championship_play-offs): [2025](/source/2025_EFL_Championship_play-offs){{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c62vgp6z7q3t#Line-ups |title=Sheffield United 1–2 Sunderland: Line-ups |website=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2025 |access-date=24 May 2025}} '''Individual''' *[EFL Championship Apprentice of the Year](/source/Football_League_Apprentice_of_the_Year): [2024–25](/source/2024%E2%80%9325_EFL_Championship){{cite news |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/april/27/hamer-wins-sky-bet-championship-player-of-the-season-award/ |title=Gustavo Hamer wins Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season award |website=EFL |date=27 April 2025 |access-date=15 May 2025}} ==References== {{reflist}} {{Sunderland A.F.C. squad}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Rigg, Chris}} Category:2007 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Hebburn Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:England men's youth international footballers Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:Premier League players --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chris Rigg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Rigg) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Rigg?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.