Socceroos star Garang Kuol gets boost ahead of English Premier League move to Newcastle United
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Socceroos sensation Garang Kuol has received an unexpected boost ahead of his move to English Premier League (EPL) giants Newcastle United and it could drastically change his immediate future.
The 18-year-old has reportedly landed a coveted UK work permit, which he was originally not expected to get all along, thanks to his two recent World Cup appearances for Australia, according to FTBL.
It means that rather than the former Central Coast Mariners wunderkind, who was plucked out of obscurity in the country of Victoria, being forced to bide his time in a European league like the Primeira Liga in Portugal, he will likely be loaned out to a club based in the UK.
Socceroos sensation Garang Kuol signed with EPL giants Newcastle last September and left Australia on Tuesday to link up with the club; encouraged by great news
The exciting forward has the world at his exceptionally talented feet, and he left Australia on Tuesday to link up with Newcastle after the EPL giants agreed a $525,000 transfer fee with the Mariners in September.
Given the fact that the teenager made his debut for the Socceroos in September and still only made a handful of A-League appearances, he was not expected to be granted a work permit immediately.
It has emerged that Garang Kuol will get a UK work permit, something he was not expected to get due to his inexperience… but the World Cup cameos with the Socceroos seem to have made a big difference.
That all changed when his electric talent and potential became clear for all to see on the grandest stage of all in Qatar.
If a splinter of controversial Argentinian goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s biceps hadn’t managed to get in the way of Kuol’s brilliant twist and shot in the dying seconds of their Socceroo round of 16 clash, we might be lavishing even more praise on the exciting youngster.
However, Kuol is still very raw and has started just three senior games for Central Coast, so Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said the priority for the new Magpies signing is playing time, to speed up its development.
“It’s a possibility (Garang could train with us),” he told reporters on Monday.
But I do believe that for player development, you need to go and play.
If possible, let it be at a very good level, with a good club and a good coach. That is not a decision that has been made currently, so we will have to look at all of our options,” Howe said.
Garang Kuol signed with Newcastle United in September for a transfer fee of $525,000, although despite leaving Australia on Tuesday to link up with the club, he is expected to go on loan almost immediately to gain valuable experience and playing time.
Garang Kuol made two appearances for the Socceroos as a substitute at the World Cup, games that were crucial in ensuring he was able to land a coveted work permit.
The EPL transfer window remains open until the end of the month, so Kuol is likely to be dealt to another UK club in the coming weeks.
A season in the Championship (the tier below the EPL) or the Scottish Premier League, where former Socceroos manager Ange Postecoglou reigns supreme, are likely options.
Both are very physical competitions, like the A-League, but at a much higher technical level than Kuol has been playing Down Under.
Multiple reports suggest that Howe hasn’t been short of offers when it comes to Kuol, so Toon may take his time figuring out which club is best for his prodigious talent.
The teenager was giving a standing ovation after his last game with the Mariners on New Year’s Eve, which the club won 2-1.
Central Coast Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp (left) shakes hands with Garang Kuol after the youngster played his last game for the club on New Year’s Eve before heading to the UK to play in the EPL giant, Newcastle.
Central Coast manager Nick Montgomery said he was looking forward to a discussion with Newcastle’s head of recruiting Shola Ameobi and, despite needing a lot more experience, backed his star to shine in Europe.
“He (Kuol) is still a kid – he started three games for us and it will be a shock for him physically and in terms of pressure when he gets there,” Montgomery told FTBL about what Kuol’s next steps may be.
“Hopefully they find a club that suits him, I’m sure they will.” He just needs to keep playing now and have a lot of football under his belt.
“Time will tell for Garang – he has all the potential and now ultimately it’s up to him what happens next.” He is at a great club and that is of vital importance for his development.
Either way, Socceroos fans will no doubt be salivating at the prospect of a fitter, faster and more talented Kuol pulling the green and gold at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.