Joe Brayson of Newcastle United looks on during the The FA Youth Cup 3rd round match between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Whitley Park on December 09, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Joe Brayson of Newcastle United looks on during the The FA Youth Cup 3rd round match between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Whitley Park on December 09, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United have confirmed professional contracts for three youngsters.
Newcastle United have handed professional contracts to three highly-rated teenagers. Joe Brayson, Luke Craggs and Logan Watts have all penned pro deals ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Joe Brayson
Joe Brayson of Newcastle United looks on during the The FA Youth Cup 3rd round match between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Whitley Park on December 09, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Joe Brayson of Newcastle United looks on during the The FA Youth Cup 3rd round match between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Whitley Park on December 09, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Brayson, who is the son of former Newcastle striker Paul, joined the academy in 2015 and last season finished as under-18s top scorer with 14 goals.
The Walker-born striker recorded ten goals and six assists in 19 under-18 Premier League fixtures last term, along with scoring three times in the Premier League 2 for the Magpies' under-21s side.
"My dad has played a massive part because he's went through the same journey as me so to follow in his footsteps is unbelievable and I'm buzzing,” Brayson said. “Signing a professional contract is what I've been working for and it's a good step forward.
"I think I did quite well last season, getting a lot of goal contributions. I was pleased to get a lot of assists, too, and I was involved with the under-21s which is what I wanted to do.
"It's good getting pushed up the age groups and then being able to score goals for them was great. Hopefully, I can do the same next season."
Luke Craggs
Kareem Ahmed of Liverpool and Luke Craggs of Newcastle United in action during the U18 Premier League game at AXA Melwood Training Centre on September 28, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)placeholder image
Kareem Ahmed of Liverpool and Luke Craggs of Newcastle United in action during the U18 Premier League game at AXA Melwood Training Centre on September 28, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Craggs**,** a defender, won the club's 2024/25 Scholar of the Year award, which recognises one scholar from each Premier League club who has excelled across all aspects of the programme, both on and off the pitch, serving as a role model to their peers through a positive, professional attitude and application.
The Gateshead-born teenager said: "I was buzzing to even get my scholarship so to be nominated as the best in the club's group for how I am as a person, both on and off the pitch, means a lot.
"I really appreciated all the staff who nominated myself as I was proud of the fact that they valued me as a person and how I applied myself in the education side of the scholarship.
“It's a proud moment because I've been a Newcastle fan ever since I was born so it's great to get a contract because that's what I've been working towards, but especially to get it at Newcastle. That's the big part of it as I've followed them since I was little.
"It hasn't hit me yet but it'll be something that I will look back on when I'm older with pride that I've played for Newcastle as a pro."
Logan Watts
Logan Watts of Newcastle in action during the The FA Youth Cup 3rd round match between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Whitley Park on December 09, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Logan Watts of Newcastle in action during the The FA Youth Cup 3rd round match between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Whitley Park on December 09, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Watts, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up in 2018, is a versatile defender capable of playing as a full-back or centre-back
The 18-year-old, who hails from North Shields, made his full debut at under-21 level during a 4-1 win against Stoke City in February.
Watts said: "I missed out on it a couple of years ago but I made sure to train harder so I'm hoping to be a part of it this time. Playing against teams you won't be usually face will be a good test for everyone.
"I was over the moon (to sign a first professional contract) because, ever since I joined the club at under-12 level, that's what I've been aiming for.
"Once I got a scholarship, I was pushing for that pro contract and then when I signed it, I was delighted.
"I'll be trying to get as many starts for the under-21s as I can. It's a completely different level moving from under-18 to under-21s, with a faster pace and a lot louder on the pitch so I'm excited for all of that."
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