Garang Kuol will officially join Newcastle when the winter transfer window opens on January 1; Magpies are likely to loan the teenage forward out to a European side; Eddie Howe: "He's had a dramatic rise and he's in a position that excited everybody"
Friday 30 September 2022 12:13, UK
Newcastle United have finalised an agreement with A-League side Central Coast Mariners for the transfer of Australian forward Garang Kuol, who will join the club in January.
Kuol made his international debut for Australia against New Zealand last week, becoming the youngest Socceroo since Harry Kewell in 1996.
The 18-year-old only made his A-League debut for the Mariners in April but made an immediate impression, scoring four goals in his first seven appearances as a substitute.
Kuol told Newcastle's official website: "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."
Newcastle United sporting director, Dan Ashworth, said: "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."
Manager Eddie Howe said the arrival of Kuol would provide an exciting addition to his squad, but he needs to continue to "learn and develop" before being ready to make an impact in the Premier League.
"He is a young player with huge potential. It shows from the club and myself where we want to go in signing young players and trying to develop them in our system for them to be Premier League players in the future.
"He's had a dramatic rise and he's in a position that excited everybody. There needs to be patience shown.
"We will look after him and he'll go out on loan and learn and develop behind the scenes and hopefully when he comes here he can play a part in our future."
Newcastle earlier this month completed the signing of former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius on a deal until January.
Karius was a free agent after his Liverpool contract expired in the summer.
The German had not played for Liverpool since Alisson arrived in 2018, spending the last two years on loan at Besiktas and Union Berlin.
October 1: Fulham (A) - kick-off 3pm
October 8: Brentford (H) - kick-off 3pm
October 16: Manchester United (A) - kick-off 2pm
October 19: Everton (H) - kick-off 7.30pm
October 23: Tottenham (A) - kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
