An American soccer ace was undergoing surgery yesterday after a brutal attack by a thug weeks after moving to Sunderland.

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

The teenager is thought to have become a victim of the vicious rivalry between Mick McCarthy's side and neighbours Newcastle United.

Stuart was on a night out in Newcastle when a yob discovered he was a Sunderland player and launched a brutal attack, leaving the youngster with a fracture eye socket.

Manager Mick McCarthy slammed the yob responsible: "It's a terrible thing. He's out having a bite to eat and he's the victim of a totally unprovoked attack," he said.

"We have contacted the police about the matter and they are looking at CCTV coverage of the incident so we are hopeful that we might have some joy on that score."

The 19-year-old was attacked outside the Tiger Tiger bar, in Newgate Street, near Newcastle's Gate leisure complex at the weekend.

He was punched in the face, say detectives.

McCarthy said: "Hopefully the police will be able to do something and bring this thug to justice because it's shocking that something like this can happen - a lad that's doing nothing wrong attacked out of the blue."

Holden had been due to make his home debut for Sunderland Reserves against Manchester United on Wednesday night.

He was forced to withdraw because of injuries he sustained in the attack.

He did, however, watch his side suffer a 4-0 defeat from the stands. His right eye was blackened with bruising.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "We can confirm we are investigating an assault on a 19-year-old outside Tiger Tiger in Newcastle.

"This happened sometime between 1.30am and 2am on Saturday, March 12.

"An unknown man approached the victim and punched him causing facial injuries."

Holden was a star of US college football, playing for the Clemson Tigers, a Houston-based side, before joining the Texan Reds, where he was involved in cup success in 2002 and helped them become State Champions in 2004.

He has also represented the United States national team at Under-18 and Under-20 level.

He impressed in his first game for the Black Cats, a 1-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers' second string nine days ago and has been tipped for a bright future in the game.

Holden had attracted the attention of Everton before Stadium of Light boss Mick McCarthy offered him a trial at Sunderland two moths ago, then signed him until the end of the season.