Early Life and Background
Christopher John Rigg, commonly known as Chris Rigg, was born on June 18, 2007, in Hebburn, England. He began his football journey at a young age and joined Sunderland AFC while still in primary school.
Club Career
Rigg’s professional career took off when he was named on the bench for Sunderland’s EFL Championship match against Blackpool on January 1, 2023.
Due to injuries within the squad, he made his professional debut as a substitute in an FA Cup match against Shrewsbury Town on January 7, 2023. This appearance made him the second youngest player in Sunderland’s history. Following this debut, he quickly became a regular part of the first team despite balancing his football commitments with school.
On August 8, 2023, Rigg scored his first competitive goal for Sunderland during an EFL Cup tie against Crewe Alexandra. This achievement not only marked him as Sunderland’s youngest ever goalscorer but also made him the youngest goalscorer in the history of the competition. He continued to impress by scoring on his league debut against Southampton on September 2, 2023, further establishing himself as Sunderland’s youngest league goalscorer.
In addition to these milestones, Rigg received recognition for his performance with a back-heeled goal against Middlesbrough on September 21, 2024, which earned him the EFL Championship Goal of the Month award for that month.
International Career
Rigg has represented England at various youth levels. He captained the England U16 team before being promoted to the U17 squad at just fifteen years old. His international experience includes participating in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November 2023 and captaining England during the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in May 2024.
As of February 22, 2025, Chris Rigg is still actively playing for Sunderland and continues to develop his skills as a midfielder.