Newcastle United Notebook: Magpies ready to scour Europe for the best young talent
Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson
Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson(Image: Richard Lee/Shutterstock)
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Newcastle United have had the green light from PIF to make major improvements to their Academy system.
With the need to bring through homegrown talent increasing due to strict UEFA spending rules, the Magpies are cranking their efforts up to make sure no stone is left unturned - at local grassroots level and further afield.
Newcastle will appoint a Head of Academy Recruitment to oversee a massive operation behind the scenes as they look to scour Europe for up-and-coming talent. Sporting director Ross Wilson has already hired Thomas Federspiel to oversee the South American region with the imminent signing of Ecuador teenager Johan Martínez an early sign of his work across the Atlantic.
The job advert for the exciting new role at Newcastle reads: "The Head of Academy Recruitment will lead the club’s Academy recruitment activity across the UK, focusing on identifying and securing high‑potential players up to U18 level. Working closely with the Academy Recruitment Director and wider Academy leadership team, the role will drive consistent, evidence‑based decision‑making aligned to the club’s long‑term football strategy."
But Newcastle have also gone one step further to bolster their chances of top signings for the future. Indeed, Newcastle want individual youth scouts for Scandinavia, France and Holland to boost hopes of possibly landing the next Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe or even Sven Botman without paying through the nose for top signings.
The club say: "The Academy International Scout – Holland, France and Scandinavia, will act as an ambassador for the club within the assigned territory, leading on the identification and assessment of high‑potential academy players."
The move from United - backed by PIF - certainly suggests that the project feels closer to the start rather than the end.
How much is new training ground deal worth?
Newcastle United bosses announced a new training ground sponsor deal this morning with KNOX hydration.
The club's Benton base will be known as the KNOX from July 1 onwards, but how much is the deal worth?
According to club insiders, it will earn Newcastle £6m a year over the space of three years. That also suggests that a three-year roadmap to a new training ground appears to be in the works.
Game on
Despite Newcastle's men's team not having a game this weekend, after being knocked out of the FA Cup, the women's side have a crucial promotion clash at Gateshead International Stadium.
Tanya Oxtoby's side is chasing down a play-off place in WSL 2 and looking to keep promotion prospects alive and kicking.
Tickets are available online via the Newcastle United Box Office until 4pm on Friday 3 April. After this time, tickets can be purchased from the Gateshead Box Office on match day.
Match tickets are priced at £8.50 for adults and £3 for juniors and concessions. The day also offers free entertainment for families and Easter prizes on offer.