Newcastle United’s plan for Garang Kuol confirmed amid work permit issues

Eddie Howe has confirmed that Newcastle United plan to loan out Garang Kuol when he officially joins in January whilst he waits on a UK work permit.

The 18-year-old travelled to Tyneside this week after making his debut for Australia on Sunday to finalise his switch from Central Coast Mariners.

Kuol has returned down under until the New Year, where, in the meantime, United will sort a temporary move for the attacker.

The Egyptian-born Kuol does not yet qualify for a UK work permit, although a call-up to the Socceroos’ Qatar World Cup squad could change that.

Newcastle United’s plan for Garang Kuol revealed

“I’d say at the moment the plan would probably be, and these things can change, to go on a loan spell from January,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “Where that is at the moment, I’ve got no idea.

“We’re working through various options but things can change regarding his involvement in the World Cup if he’s selected.

“There are lots of moving parts to that one as well.”

Newcastle saw off competition from several clubs to seal Kuol’s signature, which was highly sought after following his breakthrough season in the A-League.

Despite only making a handful of appearances, Kuol was selected for the A-League All-Stars squad to take on Barcelona, where an impressive cameo from the bench caught the eye.

Newcastle win the race for Garang Kuol

“I met him for the first time in person yesterday and that was a really good conversation - a very confident and dependable lad who has got high motivation, you can see that internally,” Howe said.

“He had offers, various options. Playing well against Barcelona recently certainly elevated his status and the (amount of) potential people that wanted to recruit him.

“Thankfully we were able to win the race to sign him and we’re very pleased to do so.”

“I’m very excited,” the Magpies head coach added. “He’s a young player with huge potential. It’s a show from myself and the club on where we want to go in terms of signing young players and trying to develop them in our system for them to be Premier League players in the future.

“He’s had a dramatic rise and he’s in a position that excites everybody. There needs to be some patience shown. Touch wood we’ll look after him, go out on loan and develop behind the scenes. Hopefully when he comes here, he can play a part in our future.”

Howe described Kuol as “very sharp, agile, really good agility, quick, good finisher”.