'Very happy' - Newcastle United secure deal for defender after 2025 Liverpool swoop
Newcastle United have announced that the teenage defender has signed a professional contract.
Newcastle United have tied down 17-year-old Isaac Moran to a professional contract.
.jpeg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
Moran joined Newcastle as a first-year scholar last summer after bringing an end to a 10-year spell at Liverpool, and he has already gained first-team experience by training with Eddie Howe’s squad.
During his time in the Reds’ academy, Moran played as a midfielder but has transitioned into a centre-back for United’s under-18s this campaign.
The defender also made his under-21s debut last month in a Premier League 2 tie against Aston Villa.
Ex-Liverpool youngster reacts to signing professional contract at Newcastle United
"I'm very happy as it's a great opportunity," Moran told the club’s website. "I was spoken to about how I'd be developed as a player and, most importantly, as a person.
"I've also moved into a new position, playing as a defender, and this is the perfect place to develop and become the best player I can be.
"It's different [playing in defence]. I can see the whole game in front of me now so that's a positive. I'd say reading the game is a good attribute of mine so it's been a good transition.
"I always thought it was going to happen. It was just about the right time and it's the perfect time at the perfect club to improve me as a defender.
"It was a very proud moment, making my debut for the Under-21s as a 16-year-old, When I've been training with the under-21s group as well as the first team squad, I've got to take everything in and be like a sponge, soaking up all the information I am given.
"It's been very beneficial going up against Premier League proven players [in training] and getting an early insight will help me, knowing that is the level I'm inspiring to get to everyday and, hopefully, I can be with them permanently in the future.
"I started off the season very strongly, changing roles and dropping into centre-back and every coach has been a big part of that, helping me to become the best version of myself everyday and, hopefully, that continues."
And he has already trained with Eddie Howe’s first-team
Moran has trained with Howe's first team squad on a handful of occasions. Last week, he was part of the team’s preparations for the Champions League last -16 first leg tie against Barcelona but couldn’t be named in the matchday squad.
Moran is ineligible to feature in this season’s Champions League as he has not been included in the club’s ‘List A’ squad and is ineligible to be named in the ‘List B’ squad.
To be eligible for the ‘List B’ squad, players must have been born on or after January 1, 2004 and played for the club for an uninterrupted period of two years.
“Isaac has settled in really well since joining us from Liverpool in the summer, and he’s shown a real appetite to embrace the demands we set,” academy director Steve Harper said.
"His attitude to learning, both on and off the pitch, has been excellent and he’s demonstrated a strong willingness to take on information, push himself and adapt to the way we work.
“This contract is recognition of the progress he has made in a short period of time, but it’s also an important marker in what we hope will be a long development journey.
“He understands there is still plenty of hard work ahead and we’re looking forward to supporting him as he continues to grow within our programme.”