Sunderland star Chris Rigg makes instant history in Championship play-off final.
Chris Rigg made Championship play-off final history just by starting in Sunderland’s win against Sheffield United.
The Black Cats beat the Blades 2-1 to seal their promotion back to the Premier League.
Rigg has made history at Wembley on Saturday
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Rigg has made history at Wembley on SaturdayCredit: Getty
Sheffield United thrashed Bristol City 6-0 in their semi-final legs, with Sunderland beating Coventry City 3-2 in a dramatic tie.
Academy star Rigg made 46 appearances this season before the final and was selected in their starting XI by manager Regis Le Bris.
This made him the youngest ever player to feature in a play-off final, with the midfielder just 17-years-old.
Rigg has featured 71 times for Sunderland since making his debut in January 2023.
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He was named on the bench in both legs against Coventry but came on as a substitute in each fixture.
Sunderland have spent eight seasons outside of the Premier League after their relegation at the end of the 2016/17 season.
They suffered back-to-back relegations and spent four campaigns in League One before returning to the Championship in 2022.
But they will now be one of the 20 teams competing in the Premier League next season after a dramatic victory.
Eliezer Mayenda equalised for Sunderland by firing into the roof of the net, with extra-time beginning to loom soon after.
Rigg is a graduate of the Sunderland academy
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Rigg is a graduate of the Sunderland academyCredit: Getty
However, Tom Watson won it for the Black Cats during second half stoppage-time to spark jubilant scenes at Wembley.
Sunderland have ended their eight-year exile from the Premier League with another edition of Championship play-off drama.
But for Sheffield United, they face a second consecutive season in the Championship despite finishing above their opponents.
They were relegated from the Premier League last season, although won’t join Burnley in an instant return.
Sunderland ‘linked’ with £60m triple transfer exit if they lose to Sheffield United at Wembley – reports.
Three Sunderland players have been linked with moves should the Black Cats fail to beat Sheffield United
Sunderland’s hopes of holding onto key young stars Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg and Dan Neil could hinge on the outcome of the club’s Championship play-off final at Wembley, according to reports
Football website TEAMtalk claim the trio have all attracted significant interest from top-flight and European clubs following standout campaigns, and failure to secure promotion may open the door to summer exits.
Jobe Bellingham transfer latest – reports
Jobe Bellingham, still only 19, has turned heads with a series of mature and versatile performances in midfield. Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are among those keeping a close watch, with the latter particularly keen to reunite with the Bellingham family, having previously helped older brother Jude develop into a global star. TEAMtalk “sources” suggest Jobe is valued at around £25million, and while Sunderland are keen to keep him, a prolonged stay in the Championship could prove difficult to negotiate. A new deal appears unlikely without the lure of Premier League football.
Chris Rigg transfer latest – reports
Chris Rigg, 17, has also made a major impression this season, becoming a regular in the first team and catching the eye of multiple Premier League clubs. Manchester United, West Ham, and Everton are all tracking his progress, with West Ham said to be leading the chase and valuing the England youth international highly. Everton boss David Moyes is understood to be a long-term admirer of the player. Separate reports have valued the youngster at around £20million Rigg turned down major European offers last summer—including from Bayern Munich and Inter Milan—to continue his development at the Stadium of Light, but interest from abroad remains strong, and another season in the second tier may test his resolve.
Meanwhile, Dan Neil is also attracting top-level attention. Everton are expected to formalise their interest should Sunderland fall short in the play-offs, while Aston Villa have long tracked the 23-year-old’s development. Roma have also emerged as potential suitors after being impressed during scouting missions focused on loanee Enzo Le Fée. Sunderland’s team captain is said to be valued at around £15million.
Régis Le Bris previews Sunderland’s play-off final against Sheffield United
Régis Le Bris said his Sunderland side knows what a difficult task they will face against Sheffield United, but urged his players to go on and make history.
“Getting to the final shows that this season has been fantastic,” Le Bris said. “It is very important to say that because you can win or lose at the end, but what we have lived together this season was absolutely brilliant. We cannot forget that. But at the same time, it is really important to think about Wembley now and the final game we have to play. We have one more game. It will be another tough challenge, but we will be really focused on that game now. We will switch our attention to Wembley towards the end of the week, and then we will have a full week to prepare for the game. That is the next step for us now.”
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“They were really good in their semi-final,” Le Bris said. “I think they are a good team, well-organised with different threats. They have good experience, they were in the Premier League last season, so we know it will be another tough challenge. To be promoted at the end of the season, though, you have to break something or do something special. It will be tough, but we will have our ambition and our desire to win. We will need all the quality and character we have within the group, but our ambition is to win promotion.”
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