Hearts sign Australian wonderkid Garang Kuol on loan from Newcastle
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Hearts sign Australian wonder kid Garang Kuol on loan from Newcastle after the 18-year-old striker impressed the Socceroos at the World Cup.
- Garang Kuol has joined Hearts on a six-month loan deal from Newcastle
- The 18-year-old impressed for the Socceroos at the recent World Cup in Qatar
- He became the youngest player to participate in the round of 16 since Pelé.
- Hearts manager Robbie Neilson said the signing was “fantastic news” for the club.
Hearts have announced the signing of Australian striker Garang Kuol on loan from Newcastle.
The 18-year-old impressed for the Soceroos during the World Cup, where he became the youngest player to appear in the knockout stages of the tournament since Pelé in 1958.
He joins three international teammates at the Edinburgh club, as Kye Rowles, Cammy Devlin and Nathaniel Atkinson all played with the teenager in Qatar.
Australian striker Garang Kuol has joined Hearts on a six-month loan deal from Newcastle
He became the youngest player since Pele to play in a World Cup knockout stage in Qatar.
Kuol only officially joined Newcastle in early January, but Manager Eddie Howe made it clear last week that he wanted the Australian to have some regular football under his belt before he competed for his place at St James’ Park.
“I think for player development, you need to go and play,” he said.
That playing time looks set to come through Robbie Neilson’s side, with the manager telling him the hearts website: ‘This is fantastic news that Garang has committed to Hearts for the next six months.
It’s no secret we were super into it and he came by to take a look last week. He was impressed with what he saw and what we’re trying to do here, which is nice.’
The 18-year-old will join three fellow Australian internationals at the Edinburgh club.
Eddie Howe said of the striker: “I think for his development, he needs to go play,
He continued: “We’re signing a player who is by no means the finished article, but there’s a lot of talent there – you don’t get called up and you play in the World Cup for nothing.”
“He will offer us new options in the future as we look to continue our good form and continue to progress in the league and in the Scottish Cup, and we are looking forward to working with him.”
Sporting director Joe Savage added that they were “delighted” to welcome Kuol and that their ability to bring him in “says a lot about the appeal of our club.”
Hearts are next in action when they take on St Mirren on Friday.