Kieran Trippier-inspired player earns call-up after agreeing Newcastle United deal

Newcastle United recently handed the 17-year-old a professional contract.

Newcastle United youngster Leo Shahar has been called up to England under-17s squad for the 2024 European Championship finals in Cyprus.

placeholder image — Wolves via Getty Images

The Young Lions get their Group D campaign underway on Tuesday night against France before facing Portugal on Friday and Spain next Monday. The nations that finish 1st or 2nd will advance into the quarter-finals.

England Under-17 squad in full

Goalkeepers: Spike Brits (Manchester City), Douglass Lukjanciks (Everton), Oliver Whatmuff (Manchester City)

Defenders: Harry Amass (Manchester United), Samuel Amissah (Fulham), Jaden Dixon (Stoke City), Christian McFarlane (New York City), Stephen Mfuni (Manchester City), Kian Noble (Manchester City), Leo Shahar (Newcastle United)

Midfielders: Jack Fletcher (Manchester United), Ollie Harrison (Chelsea), Divine Mukasa (Manchester City), Callum Olusesi (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Rigg (Sunderland)

Forwards: Baylee Dipepa (Port Vale), Christian Dunbar-McDonald (Manchester City), Luca Fletcher (Manchester City), Shumaira Mheuka (Chelsea), Mikey Moore (Tottenham Hotspur), Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)

Leo Shahar signs professional contract

Leo Shahar left Wolves to join Newcastle United last summer. (Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images) | Wolves via Getty Images

Shahar - who has seven caps at U17s level - joined the Magpies from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer following a ten-year spell with his boyhood club.

The 17-year-old has made 25 appearances across the academy this season, eight of which have come with the under-21s. As a result, Shahar was awarded with a professional contract last week alongside Trevan Sanusi.

Reacting to his pro deal, Shahar said: “Seeing the likes of Trippier and Livramento playing well for the first-team makes me want to thrive and try to get into a similar position that they are in. The fans love those two and I want to push on to try and get into that spot. I’m going to work as hard as I can everyday on the training pitch to get to that spot.

“Signing my first professional contract is everything I have dreamt of since I was a kid. To get that opportunity at such a big club like Newcastle United is outstanding and I’m hoping to keep pushing on.

“I’ve been getting great opportunities with the under-21s this season as well as playing in the UEFA Youth League and representing England (at under-17 level) so I thought that was such a big reason in wanting to commit my future here."