Former Arsenal forward signs Newcastle United contract in triple announcement

Former Arsenal youngster Shaun Mavididi is among three players to be handed professional contracts by Newcastle United.

The Magpies have announced Mavididi, plus boyhood fans Ben Parkinson and Ciaran Thompson, have signed their first pro deals after impressing in the under-18s last term.

Parkinson and Thompson have progressed numerous age groups in the academy while London-born forward Mavididi joined after being released by the Gunners two years ago.

“My main targets for the upcoming season are to play as many games as I can and help the team do well in the UEFA Youth League,” said the 17-year-old Mavididi said.

“I’m over the moon to sign my first professional contract. It’s something everyone around me has been working towards to get me into the position I’m in now and I’m very grateful, especially signing it at a club that’s in a fantastic position.

“There’s a good buzz going around the club and the future looks so exciting. My main highlight from last season would be the FA Youth Cup win against Charlton. From a personal point of view, I suffered a hip fracture and was out for three months but that was my first game back and it was full of emotion ending in a 3-2 win.

“It was a nice feeling, everybody was pleased and it felt even better playing in front of my family.”

Parkinson, a striker, joined Newcastle’s academy aged seven and featured at under-21s level last season.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to sign my first professional contract,” the 18-year-old said. “It’s a huge moment, personally, but also for the people around me who have had to sacrifice their time and effort in order to help me get to this point and to do it here at the club I grew up supporting makes it even more special.

“I think I have benefited a lot from stepping up to the under-21s as it made me realise the level, physicality and pace I needed to match so that I could compete and do well.

“The challenge I enjoyed was coming up against bigger and stronger defenders and trying to find ways of getting the better of them. I think going into next season, understanding and knowing what to expect is a good thing.”

Meanwhile, Thompson, a defender joined United aged 13 and made his debut the club’s second-string in February.

“I’m delighted to sign my first professional contract at my boyhood club,” he said. It’s a special feeling and a dream come true to sign for the club I grew up loving and supporting.

“Being here since the age of 13, I never thought of getting this far and I would never change my journey to this point now, which has been full of highs and lows.

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“The experience I have gained playing with the under-21s has been very valuable as it gave me a taste for what the next couple of years will look like, especially playing out of position at right-back. It was a challenge to adapt to that role but a one I really enjoyed.

“I think Elliot (Anderson) is a good example as to how he progressed into the first-team. His pathway included a loan spell in which he did very well and gained lots of good experiences playing men’s football which I think is very important.”