Newcastle United starlet makes Premier League ‘next generation’ list alongside Liverpool & Chelsea players
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Newcastle United summer signing Rory Finneran has been identified by The Guardian as one of the Premier League’s best up-and-coming prospects.
The 16-year-old, who was signed from Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the summer, has been included in the outlet’s annual ‘next generation list’ alongside England Under-19 international Shim Mheuka of Chelsea, defender Stephen Mfuni of Manchester City and winger Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool.
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Hide AdThe list is compiled of the best youngsters at each club born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, an age band known as first-year scholars. Unlike many of the names in this list, Finneran has already gained first team appearance. In January 2024, he appeared as a late substitute for Blackburn Rovers in a 5-2 FA Cup victory over Cambridge, replacing Sammie Szmodics to become the club’s youngest ever appearance maker at 15 years,10 months and eight days.
His manager at the time, ex-Newcastle striker Jon Dahl Tommason said: “It was great to see a couple of young boys getting minutes, Rory Finneran at just 15. He's a talented boy able to play with left and right, and has great vision - but we shouldn't forget he's still very young. It was a good opportunity to give him some experience."
Finneran was named on the bench for Blackburn’s following FA Cup game at home to Newcastle, but was unable to get on to the pitch as the Magpies progressed to the next round on penalties. The 10-time Republic of Ireland Under-17 international, who captains his team at that level, has been described by reporter Louise Taylor as someone who has been on the radar of a number of Europe’s top clubs for some time, adding that the youngster had turned down an offer of a scholarship at Ewood Park in favour of a move to the North East.
After signing for Newcastle, Finneran posted on Instagram: “I would like to say a massive thank you to all the coaches, staff and my team-mates at Blackburn over the last 8 years at the club for supporting me and helping me develop. It has been an amazing journey, from signing at Under-8’s to making my first team debut, I have enjoyed every moment and wish the best for everyone at the club. I felt it was the time for a new challenge and I am very excited for the next step in my career.”
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Hide AdThe defensive midfielder follows in the footsteps of 2022 winner Lewis Miley, who made a huge impact on the team with one goal and four assists in 26 appearances last season. Joe White, who made the list in 2019, has also made four Premier League appearances for the Magpies, and has gained experience with a host of League One and League Two clubs including Hartlepool United, Crewe Alexandra, Exeter City and now MK Dons.
Here is a full list of Newcastle players to have won the award in the list 10 years and where they are now. (2016 is not included as Newcastle played in the Championship)
- 2014: Stefan Broccoli - free agent
- 2015: Mackenzie Heaney - South Shields
- 2017: Deese Kasinga-Madia - Witham Town
- 2018: Will Brown - free agent
- 2019: Joe White - Newcastle (on loan at MK Dons)
- 2020: Michael Ndiweni - Ashington
- 2021: Ben Parkinson - Newcastle
- 2022: Lewis Miley - Newcastle
- 2023: Aidan Harris - Newcastle
- 2024: Rory Finneran - Newcastle
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