Newcastle United confirmed three professional contracts with academy players last week.
Newcastle United have confirmed that three academy prospects have signed their first professional contracts at the club.
Michael Mills, Alfie Hutchison and Oliver Goodbrand were on academy scholarships but, having all recently turned 17, they were eligible to sign their first professional contracts at Newcastle.
The trio are yet to feature in Eddie Howe’s first-team Newcastle squad this season but Mills and Hutchison have recently made their debuts at Under-21s level.
NUFC academy star ‘pleased’ after signing professional contract
Mills, who joined Newcastle United from Port Vale as a 14-year-old,told the club’s website:“I'm pleased because it shows all the work I've been putting in over the years has come together to then be offered a contract. I know the work's not finished and I have to keep going.
"The move to Newcastle has helped me mature a lot. There's been a lot of ups and downs with two injuries (toe and hamstring) that have never happened to me before.
"They have helped me grow mentally and persevere through difficult moments. I've developed quite easily on the pitch and think I'm getting closer to Newcastle's playing style.
"It's a big jump to play under-21s football but I feel those challenges will be good for my development."
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Ex-Rangers duo take to social media to react to NUFC deals
Left-back Goodbrand and winger Hutchison joined Newcastle from Scottish side Rangers last summer.
Hutchison posted an Instagram image of himself holding up a Newcastle shirt outside of the academy entrance with the caption: “Delighted to sign my first professional contract with Newcastle United.
“Proud moment for me and my family. Looking forward to getting started and continuing the hard work.”
Goodbrand also took to Instagram to post: “I am delighted to have signed my first professional contract with this club @nufc A moment I’m very grateful for. Lots of hard work behind the scenes and plenty more ahead. Thankful for all the support around me.”
NUFC academy chief reacts to new deals
Academy director Steve Harper, who signed his first professional contract with Newcastle in 1993, said following the deals for the young trio: “Michael, Oliver and Alfie have all shown real commitment to their development since arriving at the Academy, and this is an important milestone for each of them.
“They’ve each come to us from different environments, but all three have embraced the standards we set, on and off the pitch, and their attitude has been first class.
"Signing a first professional contract is only the start, of course, but they’ve earned this opportunity through the hard work they have shown since arriving with us. We’re looking forward to supporting them as they continue to progress through our pathway.”
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