Sunderland hold an option to extend Niall Huggins’ deal, but it is not expected to be triggered as things stand
Niall Huggins is set to leave Sunderland this summer, with his contract not expected to be extended at this point.
The Echo understands the Black Cats are not currently expected to trigger the option they hold to extend Huggins’ deal by a further year, meaning the full-back is in line to move on when his current contract expires. Huggins signed a contract extension in October 2024 until the summer of 2026, with Sunderland retaining an option to extend that agreement by an additional year. However, as things stand, that option is not expected to be taken up.
The 25-year-old joined Sunderland from Leeds United in 2021 and was part of the squad that won promotion from League One under Alex Neil. He also played a role in the Championship before a difficult spell with injuries disrupted his progress on Wearside.
Huggins made one senior appearance under Régis Le Bris this season, playing 45 minutes in Sunderland’s EFL Cup clash against Huddersfield Town. He later joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan, where he has featured semi-regularly in League One.
Across the 2025-26 campaign, Huggins has made 24 appearances in all competitions while on loan at Wycombe, scoring once and registering two assists. That includes 19 League One appearances, three in the EFL Trophy and two in the EFL Cup.
Huggins’ expected departure comes as Sunderland prepare to release their official retained list, which is due within the next week or so. The club’s summer decisions are being shaped by their return to the Premier League and historic qualification for the Europa League, with squad planning already underway ahead of a demanding 2026-27 campaign.
The Wales international has shown his ability when fit, with his pace, versatility and technical quality making him a useful option across both full-back positions. His best spell in a Sunderland shirt arguably came during the 2023-24 campaign, when he scored his first professional goal in a 2-0 win over Watford at the Stadium of Light. However, injury setbacks have limited his long-term impact at the club, and Sunderland are now expected to allow him to move on rather than extend his stay for another season.
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