SUNDERLAND have announced the signing of Leeds United defender Niall Huggins who has joined the club on a four-year deal.

Huggins, a York-born 20-year-old who is a Wales Under-21 international, would appear to fit the bill as he does not feature in Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team plans for the new season.

The youngster, who is contracted to Elland Road until 2023, made his senior Leeds debut as a second-half substitute in a defeat to Arsenal in February, and was a regular for the Yorkshire club’s Under-23s team last season.

With Denver Hume having rejected the Black Cats’ offer of a new contract, Lee Johnson has been searching for another left-back despite the recent acquisition of Dennis Cirkin from Tottenham.

Huggins said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be here and as soon as the opportunity arose, I knew straightaway that this was a huge opportunity for me to develop my game.

"For me, the thing I want to do now is play first-team football, so to have seen some of the young lads coming in and having a chance to prove themselves, and seeing the fans’ reaction to it, is really good and it made me want to come here even more.

"I’m really excited to get started.”

It was understood that Blackburn Rovers had registered in an interest for the player but Sunderland have fought off any potential suitors for his signature. 

While Hume continues to train with the team as he recovers from long-term injury, it remains to be seen whether he will re-sign for the club after he rejected their most recnet offer.

Huggins comes into the club as a second left-back after the recent addition of Dennis Cirkin who moved on a permanent deal from Tottenhem Hotspur. He has started the Black Cats last two games in League One.