By Adefunmiloye Alani

21st Aug, 2021 | 8:00pm

Kalvin Phillips reacts as Niall Huggins leaves Leeds United for Sunderland

Niall Huggins has joined Sunderland after leaving Leeds United, and the versatile full-back will now be looking forward to impressing.

The 20-year-old was not able to break into the senior team at Elland Road, making just an appearance off the bench in the Premier League last term.

Huggins had been with Leeds as a schoolboy and has taken to his personal Instagram account to reflect on his journey at Yorkshire after leaving the club.

He posted: “Just wanted to say thanks so much for an amazing 15 years at Leeds United.

“Especially to all the staff who have been with me from the start. It was an honour to be able to make my debut last season at the club and thank you to the fans for all the support. Here’s to a new journey.”

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Leeds star Kalvin Phillips has now reacted to Huggins’s exit, taking to the Instagram comments section to post.

Good luck

The youngster came off the bench to make his Premier League debut during a 4-2 defeat at Arsenal in February, featuring for just 37 minutes.

He was a key part of the promotion-winning under-23s, though, and will be looking to make the grade at the League One side.

While things did not work out for Huggins at Leeds, the chance to play regularly for the Black Cats could be perfect for his development.

Sunderland are looking to climb up the ladder again, and the youngster could be playing Premier League football sooner rather than later.

Whites coach Marcelo Bielsa could have kept the defender as a potential cover for Luke Ayling or Junior Firpo, but we reckon the Argentine did not believe he could do the job.

A temporary exit was also dismissed, and Huggins now has to show the Leeds decision-makers that they were wrong to let him go.

In other Leeds news, Whites close in on major transfer, fee plus add-ons mooted.