Newcastle United have confirmed that they have signed Central Coast Mariners forward Garang Kuol.
Earlier this week, it was widely reported that the Magpies had emerged as the favourites to win the race for the highly-rated Australia international.
Despite being just 18 years of age, Kuol contributed four goals in 189 minutes of action in the A-League last season, each of his strikes coming after being introduced as a substitute.
The teenager was subsequently handed his full international debut for the Socceroos earlier this month, putting him in contention to feature at the World Cup.
Newcastle have now decided to strike and get a deal over the line before Kuol has the opportunity to impress on a global stage in Qatar.
G'day Garang! 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/S8kTkR2fTl
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 30, 2022
With the European transfer window currently being closed, Kuol will not arrive at St James' Park until the start of 2023.
While Kuol has penned a long-term contract at St James' Park, Newcastle have not disclosed the length of the deal.
Speaking to the club's official website, 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."
© Reuters
Head coach Eddie Howe was naturally asked about the deal at his pre-match press conference ahead of Newcastle's Premier League fixture with Fulham at the weekend, acknowledging that Kuol will head out on loan at some stage of his development.
The Englishman told reporters: "He's a young player of huge potential. It shows where the club wants to go in terms of 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 excites everybody but there needs to be some patience shown. We need to look after him and he'll go out on loan to learn and develop behind the scenes and hopefully when he comes here he can play a part in our future."
Howe already has three forwards at his disposal in club-record signing Alexander Isak, last season's top goalscorer Callum Wilson and £25m January signing Chris Wood.
Darren Plant
