Sunderland’s current contract position explained and the next two big priorities for Kristjaan Speakman
Kristjaan Speakman confirmed a new deal for Sunderland defender Niall Huggins on Wednesday night
Sunderland further demonstrated their pro-active approach to contract management by announcing a one-year extension for Niall Huggins on Wednesday night.
Huggins is still recovering from major knee surgery and is not expected to return until the new year, but sporting director Kristjaan Speakman explained that the club wanted to remove any uncertainty around the defender’s future given that his current deal had been set to expire in the summer. This way, he can focus fully on his recovery and trying to recapture his impressive form from the first half of last season when fit. First and foremost Sunderland feel they are fulfilling their duty of care to the player, but it also leaves them in the best position possible should Huggins return to the level he was previously playing at. A one-year extension means that the financial outlay and risk involved is minimal.
It leaves Sunderland in an incredibly strong position across their squad, with just three senior players set to leave next summer as it stands. In the case of Wilson Isidor, there is an option-to-buy clause included in the loan deal and the player himself has made clear he hopes to stay. Should his impressive form continue, then it’s a deal they should be able to get done. Chris Mepham is due to be out of contract at Bournemouth next summer, though the Premier League deal side do hold an option to extend that for a further season. As with Aaron Connolly, it suits all parties to see how the campaign develops before making any longer-term decisions. Sunderland will want to move quickly if Connolly shows signs of recapturing the form that made him such a highly-rated talent at Brighton, but for now it’s up to the striker to force his way into Regis Le Bris’s team and stay there.
