Newcastle United have signed Australian striker, Garang Kuol from Central Coast Mariners for an undisclosed fee.
Following serious interest from several clubs for Kuol, the 18 year-old decided to join Newcastle and has completed his medical on Tyneside, although the transfer won’t be officially completed until 1 January when the mid-season transfer window opens.
Speaking about his impending move to St James’ Park, Kuol described the opportunity as “unreal”, having grown up Down Under watching the Premier League on TV after moving to Australia from Egypt as a refugee with his family.
Reflecting on the opportunity to go from watching England’s top-flight on TV to actually playing for a Premier League club, Kuol commented: “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.”
On what he wishes to achieve on Tyneside, Kuol added: “Now that I’ve signed for Newcastle, I want to train hard, play hard, hopefully go to the World Cup and come back here.”
Newcastle’s Sporting Director, Dan Ashworth meanwhile described Kuol as “a very promising young talent” and is “excited” to see him join the Magpies in January.
Explaining the decision behind their move for Kuol, Ashworth said: “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.”
Kuol will remain with Central Coast Mariners – where he scored five goals in 12 appearances last season – until January, as he looks to secure a place in Australia’s World Cup squad with the Socceroos set to face France, Tunisia and Denmark in the Group Stage in Qatar.
Speaking about Kuol’s return to Central Coast Mariners until end of year, Ashworth commented: “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.”
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