Muawiya Ghanem was named player of the tournament as Newcastle U15s won a prestigious tournament
Newcastle's U15s
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Newcastle United hot prospect Muawiya Ghanem continues to shine after his move from West Bromwich Albion as he played a starring role in an international tournament win.
Ghanem, who joined the Magpies from West Brom's academy last summer, was named player of the tournament as United's Under-15s beat Manchester United and Manchester City on their way to winning the Premier League International Tournament.
The youngsters started their campaign with a 2-0 win against the Red Devils on Friday before all but securing their place in the semi-final with a 4-0 hammering of Crystal Palace just 24 hours later.
The group stage was rounded off by a narrow loss to Italian giants Juventus - but Graeme Coulson’s side quickly moved on from that defeat by progressing into the final with a penalty shoot-out win against tournament hosts Chelsea.
That goal against Juventus proved to be the only time the young Magpies conceded throughout the tournament as a 1-0 win against Manchester City saw them lift the trophy. Ghanem scored the winner in the final and went on to lift the player of the tournament award after three goals and two assists for the attacking midfielder across the games.
The likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa were also involved in the tournament - but it was the Magpies that secured success, much to the delight of academy director Steve Harper.
The former Magpies keeper said: “What an incredible achievement from all of the players and staff involved.
“To emerge as deserved winners in a competition featuring many of the elite youth academies of not only the Premier League but Europe too, reflects a huge amount of effort from every department at the academy. The boys gave absolutely everything in every minute of every game.
“It is an enormously proud day for everyone connected to the academy and football club.”
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