Newcastle United have handed out three professional contracts
Joe Brayson of Newcastle United warms up during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester City U21 and Newcastle United U21
Newcastle United have handed first professional contracts to teenage trio Joe Brayson, Luke Craggs and Logan Watts.
The youngsters have put pen to paper on full-time deals with the Magpies after progressing through the club’s youth set-up and impressing coaches and Eddie Howe.
For Brayson, it sees him follow in the footsteps of his dad Paul who was a highly-rated youth striker at Newcastle in the 1990s and went on to make a first-team start under Kevin Keegan before playing for Reading, Cardiff City and Cheltenham Town. and having a stellar non-league career.
Joe Brayson, who joined Newcastle’s youth set-up in 2015, is also a forward. He finished the season as the top goalscorer at under-18 level with 10 goals and six assists, as well as scoring three times in the Premier League 2 for the Magpies' Under-21s side.
The Walker-born youngster said: "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.
“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."
Paul Brayson in action for Newcastle
Gateshead-born Craggs 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.
The defender 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."
Watts, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up in 2018, is a defender capable of playing as a full-back or centre-back who made his full debut at under-21 level during a 4-1 win against Stoke City in February.
The 18-year-old, who hails from North Shields, is relishing the prospect of competing in the UEFA Youth League with his hometown club.
The teenager 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.
"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."