Newcastle United confirm January transfer deal - could make debut this weekend

Newcastle United have loaned Garang Kuol to Scottish Premiership side Hearts.
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Newcastle United teenage forward Garang Kuol has joined Scottish Premiership side Hearts on loan for the rest of the season.

The 18-year-old, who officially signed for the Magpies from A-League outfit Central Coast Mariners at the beginning of the month, will link up with Robbie Neilson’s men ahead of Friday’s home clash against St Mirren, subject to international clearance.

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Neilson said: “It’s fantastic news that Garang has committed himself to Hearts for the next six months.

“It’s no secret that we were extremely interested in him and he came up for a look around last week. He was impressed with what he saw and what we’re trying to do here, which is pleasing.

“We’re getting a player who is by no means the finished article but there is a lot of talent there – you don’t get called up to and play in the World Cup for nothing.

Garang Kuol has joined Hearts on loan for the remainder of the campaign. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)Garang Kuol has joined Hearts on loan for the remainder of the campaign. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Garang Kuol has joined Hearts on loan for the remainder of the campaign. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

“He’ll offer us new options going forward as we look to continue our good form and continue to make progress in the league and in the Scottish Cup, and we’re really looking forward to working with him.”

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Hearts sporting director Joe Savage, who showed Kuol around the club’s training centre last week, added: “We’re thrilled to be able to get this deal done and welcome Garang to Gorgie.

“His talents were courted by some of the biggest clubs in the continent when he was playing in Australia and he went on to play in the World Cup finals, so to be able to bring such an exciting prospect to Hearts speaks volumes about the appeal of our club.

“I have to extend a big thank you to Kwaku Mensah and Newcastle United’s Shola Ameobi and Dan Ashworth for placing their trust in us and helping to bring Garang here.

“We’re all really looking forward to Garang pulling on the maroon jersey and I know our fans will be excited by him too.”

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The 18-year-old agreed to join Newcastle in September despite attracting interest from a number of clubs. Kuol has been tipped for a big future, so United will hope he can excel at Tynecastle.

In 2022, Kuol scored six times and provided four assists in 17 appearances for the Mariners, as well as representing Australia at the World Cup, where he become the youngest player since Pele to feature in the knockout stages.