Dan Ashworth discussed Newcastle United’s commitment to bringing some of the world’s most exciting young players to Tyneside after the club confirmed the signing of Aussie star Garang Kuol.
He insists that attracting future stars is an important part of the club’s “philosophy,” and this is reflected in the recruitment that has occurred since his arrival from Brighton.
Our Academy ranks felt largely ignored during the Mike Ashley era. A path to the first team was frequently overlooked, but now we have Elliot Anderson making the transition from U21 talent to first-team regular – and he appears to be the first of many.
Newcastle United have signed FIVE young players since Ashworth took over as our new sporting director: Alex Murphy, Charlie McArthur, Jordan Hackett, Jude Smith, and Garang Kuol. That does not appear to be a coincidence.
Kuol may arrive as a ‘wonderkid’ after scoring goals in senior football and moving rings around Barcelona in a pre-season friendly, but McArthur is regarded as one of the most promising young defenders north of the border, captaining Scotland’s U17s and appearing several times for Kilmarnock’s first-team, while Murphy comes with rave reviews from Ireland, another youthful captain at international level who’s been set to star in senior football since the age of
So, while Kuol appears to be a statement signing in terms of Academy recruitment, he is one of several promising teenagers brought in since Dan Ashworth’s arrival.
Following the arrival of the Australian, the FA’s former director of elite development told NUFC.co.uk:
“Garang is a very promising young talent, and we are delighted that he will be developing as a Newcastle United player.”
“Our philosophy is to invest in our Academy and exciting young players for the future, as well as players who will make an immediate impact in the first team.”
We wish Garang luck in his remaining games with the Central Coast Mariners and hope to see him on the international stage again soon.”
What happens next, I wonder? If the constant reports coming out of South America are to be believed, we may see one or two more Brazilians join our ranks.
Following Kuol’s arrival, iNews’ Mark Douglas tweeted: ‘Hear they’re also targeting the Brazilian market.’ We might see some progress with highly rated prospects there soon…’
Names like Andrey Santos, among others, have been mentioned for several weeks now, implying that Ashworth’s experience and Steve Nickson’s scouting in that region could be the ideal combination if we’re looking to sign the next big thing from Brazil.
Whatever happens next, we’re in good hands with Dan Ashworth and are finally committing to all areas of the football club, as Kuol’s example shows.
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