Eddie Howe 'delighted' as £15m Newcastle United transfer makes St James' Park statement

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Will Osula scored his first goal for Newcastle United since arriving from Sheffield United in the summer.

Eddie Howe revealed his delight after Will Osula opened his Newcastle United account in stunning fashion on Sunday.

Osula joined the Magpies from Sheffield United for £15million in the summer and was handed only his second start in the 3-1 FA Cup third round win against Bromley at St James’ Park.

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United fell behind in the eighth minute through Cameron Congreve’s strike but quickly levelled things up when Lewis Miley found the net from 25 yards out. Anthony Gordon’s penalty then put the home side 2-1 in front before Osula’s first goal for the club wrapped up the victory.

Newcastle United's Will Osula netted his first senior goal for the Magpies against Bromley in the FA CupNewcastle United's Will Osula netted his first senior goal for the Magpies against Bromley in the FA Cup
Newcastle United's Will Osula netted his first senior goal for the Magpies against Bromley in the FA Cup | Getty Images

“A big moment for Will because any striker wants to score when they go to a new club, they want to score early, just to settle them down and he's been waiting and waiting and needing that goal, really,” said Howe.

“It was a spectacular one when he came, what a strike from him. I'm delighted for him personally, he needed that.”

Osula has had to remain patient since making the switch. As an understudy to Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, the 21-year-old has featured in every matchday squad this campaign, though that has brought just 10 appearances.

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Strong, quick, tall and powerful, it’s easy to see why Newcastle signed the striker. “Refinement” is a word previously used by Howe and based on the Bromley evidence, the young Dane is developing well.

“Yeah, I think he is [developing well], I wouldn't say if I didn't believe it,” Howe added. “I feel a little bit for him because in the two games that he's started here, Wimbledon and Bromley today, he's playing against a back five and minimal space, congested back line.

“We have a lot of the ball, but we're working in limited space areas and that's not really Will's best asset. His best asset, as you saw for the goal, is his pace. He can score, we've seen that regularly in training, he can score, he's a good finisher .

“His goal today, I thought, was right out the highest level, a brilliant finish from him so I'd like to see him in a different kind of environment, different kind of game where he can maybe utilise his skill set a bit more.

“But it came through today, it was a big test for him. I think there was a bit of pressure on him, he wanted to score, he felt he needed to score to I'm delighted he's got that out of the way.”

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