A US football player was undergoing surgery yesterday after an attack by a thug weeks after he moved to a North-East club.

Stuart Holden, 19, signed for Sunderland two months ago and is predicted to have a big future with the Championship promotion hopefuls.

He is thought to have been a victim of rivalry between Mick McCarthy's side and neighbouring Newcastle.

Holden was on a night out in Newcastle when a man found out he was a Sunderland player and attacked him, leaving him with a fractured eye socket.

Manager Mick McCarthy said: "It is a terrible thing. He is out having a bite to eat and he is the victim of a totally unprovoked attack.

"We have contacted the police about the matter and they are looking at closed circuit television coverage of the incident."

He was attacked outside the Tiger Tiger bar, in Newgate Street, early on Saturday.

Holden was due to make his home debut for Sunderland Reserves against Manchester United on Wednesday night, but was forced to withdraw because of the injury.

Holden was a star of US college football, and played for a team in Houston.

He has also represented the US national team at Under-18 and Under-20 level. Holden attracted the attention of Everton, before Mick McCarthy offered him a trial two months ago, then signed him to the end of the season.