Newcastle United have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated striker Garang Kuol from A-League side Central Coast Mariners.
The 18-year-old will join Eddie Howe’s side in January 2023 and there is a lot of expectation for the Australian’s career.
Kuol was born in Egypt but moved to Australia as a refugee. He joined the Mariners’ academy in January 2021. Kuol’s older brother, Alou, is also a professional footballer and he also plays as a forward. He is currently plying his trade in the Bundesliga with VFB Stuttgart, having represented the club’s reserve side.
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The youngster made his senior debut in December and he scored seven minutes after stepping out onto the pitch for Nick Montgomery’s side in a 6-0 FFA Cup (now just known as the Australian Cup) victory over APIA Leichardt. He then made his A-League debut in April as his side defeated Wellington Phoenix 5-0. He went on to score four times in his first seven league appearances before going on to sign his first professional contract in June.
He was then one of two "Commissioner's picks" chosen to play in the 2022 A-Leagues All Stars Game against Barcelona, which was played in front of a 70,000 crowd in Sydney earlier this year, where he earned the praise of Barca boss Xavi.
He made his international debut for the Socceroos last Sunday in a friendly 2-0 victory over New Zealand in Auckland - becoming the youngest player to play for the national side since Harry Kewell in 1996.
Speaking about his switch to St James’ Park, Kuol said: "It's unreal. As a young boy in Australia, the Premier League is the main thing that everyone watches but nobody actually thinks they'll reach those heights. To be one of those people, to be in the position I am, it's amazing.
"Now that I've signed for Newcastle, I want to train hard, play hard, hopefully go to the World Cup and come back here."
The Magpies’ sporting director Dan Ashworth added: “Garang is a very promising young talent and we are excited that he'll be continuing his development as a Newcastle United player.
"Our philosophy is to invest in our Academy and in exciting young players for the future, as well as in players required to make an immediate impact in the first team.
"We wish Garang the best of luck in his remaining games with Central Coast Mariners and we hope to see him on the international stage again very soon."
