Newcastle United have handed out four new professional contracts this summer.
Newcastle United have confirmed that four academy players have signed their first professional contracts with the club.
Kacey Wooster, Henry Johnson, Guy Bloomer and Jake Durrant have all agreed professional deals at Newcastle having progressed through the academy. They will represent the club at Under-21s level this coming season.
It comes after last week’s news that 17-year-old Mason Miley, the younger brother of first-team star Lewis, had signed his first professional deal with the club. Clubs are only allowed to sign players to professional contracts after they turn 17.
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The aforementioned quartet are all 18 but have now signed pro deals upon the end of their scholarship contracts.
Following the four newly-confirmed deals, academy director Steve Harper told the club website: “This is a really proud achievement for the four lads. Kacey, Henry, Guy and Jake have shown a real willingness to keep improving and seeing them reach this stage means a lot to everyone at the Academy.
“A first professional contract is a big moment, but it’s one they’ve earned through the standards they set every single day. We’re excited for what’s ahead and delighted to see their hard work recognised."
Wooster scored 10 goals for Newcastle in the Under-18s Premier League North last season as the side finished third. He joined from Southend United as a 15-year-old and has already featured for the Under-21s in the Premier League 2.
Versatile defender Johnson has also featured at Under-21s level for Newcastle and has been part of the academy set-up since Under-10s level.
Right-back Bloomer, made his Under-21s debut at age 16 during the EFL Trophy clash at Bradford City and has been with the academy since the age of eight.
Wallsend native Durrant has also been with the academy since the age of eight and has taken inspiration from fellow full-backs Alex Murphy and Leo Shahar progressing from academy level to making their first-team debuts in the Champions League.
He said: "Alex and Leo are both huge inspirations at the Academy and I'd like to follow in their footsteps. I've trained with Leo a few times and his professional behaviours around the building are always top.
"It's a massive achievement both as a person and my family. I've been at the club for ten years now, so it makes it even more rewarding than what it already is. I'm over the moon and I can't wait to get going.”
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