Niall Huggins joins PFA free-agent programme in bid to find new club | OneFootball

Former Sunderland full-back Niall Huggins has joined the PFA’s free-agent pre-season programme as he seeks a club for the 2026-27 campaign.

According to Sunderland Echo, 39 free agents are training in the first week, with Huggins listed among the defenders. The programme helps out-of-contract players stay fit, access professional sessions and showcase themselves to clubs during the summer window.

Huggins left Sunderland this summer after an injury-affected spell. The 25-year-old arrived from Leeds United in summer 2021 and was highly rated, but recurring fitness problems disrupted his progress at the Stadium of Light.

When available, he displayed quality and versatility, comfortable on either side of the defence. His standout moment came in 2023-24, a long-range winner against Watford at the Stadium of Light, later named Sunderland’s Goal of the Season.

Building sustained momentum proved difficult and injuries restricted his involvement across several seasons. Sunderland chose not to extend his stay this summer as Florent Ghisolfi continued reshaping the squad and academy pathway.

Huggins now hopes the PFA programme can help him secure his next move. He is part of a sizeable group working with the organisation this summer, with clubs able to register interest in available players.

Source: Sunderland Echo