One former Newcastle United starlet’s career has taken a drastically different path after making his debut as he is part of the new Baller League.
The KSI’s led Baller League gets underway on Monday as 12 teams comprised of former Premier League stars, semi-pros and futsal players – managed by football legends and celebrities – compete in a six-a-side tournament with a twist.
Complete with no corners and rolling subs, the 30-minute matches will mix things up in the final three minutes of each half by applying bizarre new rules.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer is involved as he returns to management alongside Gary Lineker and Micah Richards with Deportrio.
Former Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark will be playing for Luis Figo’s Trebol FC and another ex-player, former starlet Michael Ndiweni, will be playing as well.
It’s safe to say his career hasn’t gone as he expected since making his senior debut in 2023.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Michael Ndiweni will play in the Baller League after leaving Newcastle
A Newcastle fan, Ndiweni first joined the Toon academy when he was just 12 years old and worked all the way up to the Premier League.
The forward made his senior debut in a pre-season friendly against local side Gateshead in July 2023 and said the appearance was a ‘dream come true.’
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He told the club’s official website at the time: “It was my first appearance for the first team so I was a bit nervous but also excited and raring to go, wanting to make an impact on the game and try to score.
“It was a dream come true. All the hard work that I’ve put in since joining Newcastle at 12 was put into that moment and I was really thankful and grateful to the Academy staff for all the help I’ve had.
“I had my family watching the stream at home and a lot of friends from school watching. It was great to go back into the changing room after full-time to see lots of messages of congratulations from my friends and family.
“I’ve been to St. James’ Park to watch the first-team play for years and that’s where you want to be yourself. To be able to share the pitch with some of the people I’ve watched over the last few years was amazing.
“It was a really good moment for all of the lads at the Academy, too, and it gives us a glimpse of where we all want to be and how to get there so it’s a good taste and, hopefully, there’s more to come for everyone.”
There would be more for Ndiweni but only the briefest taste. The then-teenager made his competitive debut for the club in the Premier League as a last-minute substitute in the 1-0 win over Chelsea in November 2023.
Afterwards, he told the club: “I’ve worked so hard over the last eight years I’ve been here and it’s always been a dream to play in a Premier League fixture for Newcastle United. Ever since I’ve grown up, all I’ve known is Newcastle so to be part of the first team and for that to come true means everything.
“A home debut and a win against a top side with lots of top-quality players felt really good and to be part of the squad for such a big victory in the season was great.”
He would go on to sit on the bench during the draw at PSG a few days later but that was the end of Ndiweni’s ascent to the first team.
In February 2024, he was loaned to Scottish side Annan Athletic before being released the following summer. Now, however, he has the chance to show what he can do in the Baller League.
Who does Maya Jama manage in the Baller League?
The Baller League gets underway on March 24 and will last for 11 weeks, with the season concluding in a top-four play-off.
Ndiweni’s side, FC Rule The World, is managed by fashion designer and Corteiz founder Clint 419, while the 21-year-old counts former Manchester United youngster Josh Harrop as a teammate.
Harrop has a wealth of experience with well over 100 games in the EFL to his name,
FC RTW take on MVPs United in their opening fixture. MVPs are managed by celebrity presenter Maya Jama and Juventus Women star Alisha Lehmann.