Newcastle beat Barcelona to Garang Kuol Signing
Newcastle United have beaten Barcelona to the signing of Australian wonderkid Garang Kuol.
The 18-year-old recently made his debut for the Socceroos becoming the youngest ever player to do so since former Liverpool striker Harry Kewell. He will remain at current side Central Coast Mariners until January where he will eventually make the move to St James’ Park.
After making his debut in April, the Egyptian born forward blasted four goals in his first seven matches, before turning even more heads with a very impressive performance against Barcelona as part of the 2022 A-League All Stars side in Sydney, earlier this year. However, he could be set to make an even bigger name for himself in the Premier League.
“It’s unreal,” Kuol said to the official Newcastle United website after finalising the deal. “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.”
READ ALSO Newcastle so close in chase for Aussie wonderkid Garang Kuol
All four of his goals for Central Coast came having been introduced from the substitutes’ bench. His ability to quickly influence and change matches saw him garner the attention of Barcelona, before they were able to get a first hand look themselves in Sydney.
And what a first look Xavi’s side were afforded. The Australian frequently burnt past the Barcelona defenders like they were not even there. At one point, he slalomed three blue and red shirts, effortlessly held off a challenge from powerful central defender Ronaldo Araujo, before dinking the ball over the goalkeeper, but just inches wide off the post.
This moment, combined with several other videos and compilations of Kuol bullying opposition defenders that put him on the Catalans’ radar. However, Eddie Howe’s side were more proactive than the Catalans, pouncing on the opportunity to sign him with the same level of great gusto and speed as Kuol has in his promising game.