By Neal Symons (@neal_symons)
Newcastle United of the English Premier League have announced the signing of 18-year-old Australian forward Garang Kuol from the Central Coast Mariners, where he will join the club in January 2023.
Having completed his medical, media reports suggest the Egyptian-born wonderkid will go on loan to Portugal in order to fulfil the requirements for a work permit within the UK per Twitter account @scout_aussie.
Following his Socceroos debut last weekend against New Zealand, Kuol flew to Newcastle in order to complete his medical and sign for the Magpies.
Kuol made his debut for the Mariners in the Australia Cup (formerly known as the FFA Cup) in December of 2021 and has since taken the Australian football community by storm, scoring four goals in only nine A-League Men appearances.
Speaking with Newcastle United’s media team, Kuol expressed his elation of signing with the Premier League side.
“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,” Kuol said.
“Now that I’ve signed for Newcastle, I want to train hard, play hard, hopefully go to the World Cup and come back here.”
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.
“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.”
Garang will play the first few months of the A-League Men season with the Mariners, before making the move overseas.
The Central Coast Mariners released a statement this afternoon on Kuol’s transfer.
“The Central Coast Mariners can confirm that the club has agreed terms for the sale of Garang Kuol to Newcastle United.”
“The player and his representatives have also agreed personal terms which will see Kuol move to the Premier League giants when the next transfer window opens in January 2023.”
“The Mariners look forward to Garang arriving back at the club and continuing preparations for our F3 derby A-League Men’s season opener on October 8th against the Newcastle Jets.”
