Australia’s hottest teen talent has been signed by sleeping Premier League giant Newcastle United.
Central Coast Mariners striker Garang Kuol, 18, has penned a multi-year deal with the Magpies, and will officially join the club in January.
Kuol, who made global headlines after a stunning display against Barcelona in the A-Leagues All-Stars match against Barcelona last May, will play the first three months of the A-League season before departing.
The transfer fee is undisclosed, although Newcastle beat off interest from a host of other top European clubs from several countries.
“It’s unreal,” Kuol told Newcastle’s club media.
“As a young boy in Australia, the Premier League is the main thing that everyone watches but nobody actually thinks they’ll reach those heights. To be one of those people, to be in the position I am, it’s amazing.
Now that I’ve signed for Newcastle, I want to train hard, play hard, hopefully go to the World Cup and come back here.
The African-born, Shepparton-raised star is looming as a Socceroos bolter, after he shock selection and impressive impact role debut in last week’s friendly win away to New Zealand in Auckland.
Kuol’s stunning rise and international club and country whirlwind will feature prominently in the trailblazing new weekly A-Leagues All Access series, starting October 13.
The All Access cameras have been following Kuol, including the day he was announced as Graham Arnold’s shock Socceroos selection in September, along with Mariners teammate Jason Cummings.
It captured some fascinating behind-the-scenes interactions, when not only did Arnold propel the young gun into the spotlight when other coaches may have opted to shield such a prospect. Arnold set aside time to provide Kuol with some priceless morsels of information during a life-changing year, which has included breakout games for club, country and the A-Leagues All Stars.
Kuol’s Socceroos selection itself was a massive call from Arnold – for the younger brother of Germany-based striker Alou Kuol has only played 189 minutes and yet to make an A-League Men start (he has nine appearances off the bench).
But his impact roles alone – for the A-Leagues All-Stars and the Mariners – earnt him a call-up for the New Zealand matches, with an eye on the Qatar 2022 World Cup squad.
While the media was busy setting up for the official press conference just a few hundred metres away, Arnold sat with Kuol and Mariners team-mate Jason Cummings at a café ahead of the media blitz.
Arnold figuratively and literally put his arm around the boy’s shoulder and provided the kind of advice that helped propel him from NSL prospect at Sydney Croatia to prolific European and Socceroos goalscorer.
Kuol lapped up every word from a largely encouraging Arnold, who is said to have taken him under his wing in the subsequent international camp, pulling him aside before they left camp and encouraged him to keep working hard.
The season-long All Access episodes will feature the stars of the Isuzu UTE and Liberty A-Leagues, including Melbourne Victory’s Nani, Brisbane’s Charlie Austin and Western United’s Chloe Logarzo.
WANT UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS THAT PUSHES THE BOUNDARIES? INTRODUCING A-LEAGUES ALL ACCESS
Kuol was the story of the day, and the media attention was significant, akin to Daniel Arzani’s shock selection ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
As he stared into a room full of reporters and cameras, Arnold quipped: “Just pretend you’re talking to your mates.”
Kuol responded: “I don’t see a lot of mates in there,” before Arnold responded: “Just pretend. Look down the camera and you’re talking to your mates, and your family.”
Arnold had some more time with Kuol and Cummings after the media commitments were over and the words of encouragement continued, before delivering a reality check to the teen.
“This is the start of your journey, it’s not the end. You’ve achieved zero, if you know what I mean. This is just the start,” Arnold said, hinting at the fact that Kuol has barely scratched the surface of his enormous potential and the hard work lay ahead.
“How can Cristiano Ronaldo be so good for so long? Look at the body he’s got on him at (age) 37). It’s hard work.”
“You have to be happy.”
Arnold, who made his Socceroos debut in his early ’20s, told Kuol he has a great opportunity ahead of him, encouraging him to soak up and learn from those around him during the 10-day camp.
An appreciative Kuol, who comes from humble beginnings and is eager to help his family, is said to have embraced every word, and was also chuffed to have been presented with his Socceroos jersey post game from Arnold and Guus Hiddink.
And he delivered on the pitch.
Kuol’s impactful debut, which included a run from halfway and creating the chance that led to the goal, was so impressive that he’s now surely in strong consideration for the 26-player squad for the FIFA World Cup.
With a move abroad sealed, the Mariners’ opening few rounds of the Isuzu UTE A-League season could be box office.
