Socceroos young gun Garang Kuol in UK to sign deal with English Premier League giants Newcastle

Days after making his Socceroos debut, a teenage star is reportedly set to make a massive next move in his career.

Garang Kuol is set to sign with EPL giants Newcastle. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Emerging Socceroos star Garang Kuol is on the verge of finalising a deal with English Premier League side Newcastle after making his international debut last weekend.

According to multiple reports in the UK, the 18-year-old, who became the youngest player to debut for the Socceroos since Harry Kewell, was in England completing a medical test to secure his contract with the EPL giants before returning for next week’s start of the A-League season with the Central Coast Mariners.

It’s understood Kuol was also being courted by Germany’s Borussia Dortmund and could start on loan to a European club at some stage next year.

Kuol was lauded by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold after his 18-minute spell off the bench against the All Whites in Auckland last Sunday.

But he wouldn’t be drawn on whether it would be enough to earn Kuol a spot in the Australian squad for the World Cup in Qatar in November.

“He’s a kid, he’s just turned 18. I told him just to go out and enjoy himself,” Arnold said.

“I just wanted to give him the experience. He showed some quality when he came on, but this is just the first step for him.”

Newcastle are close to finalising a deal to sign Garang Kuol from @CCMariners.
The forward made his Australia debut last week, aged 18. #NUFC are exploring ways of overcoming any work permit issues - including a potential loan to a European club if they can get a deal done.

— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) September 27, 2022

It’s been a stunning rise for Kuol, who is yet to even make a start in his nine A-League appearances with the Mariners, all last season, as a 17-year-old.

Central Coast coach Nick Montgomery said the young star would be starting this season, with six A-League games to be played before Arnold finalises his World Cup squad.

“It’s remarkable he’s not started a game in the A-League … he’s a special talent. He nearly scored, he nearly set a goal up (against New Zealand),” he told Fox Sports.

“I don’t see him as a kid. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough. The reality is he should be in a position to start games for us this season.”

Montgomery said Kuol had the right attitude to go on to bigger and better things.

“You don’t have a crystal ball but what you do know is if you give them the right grounding and they remain humble it doesn’t; matter what move they make,” he said.

“As long as they keep that attitude and that desire that you try to drill into them, we hope they can succeed at any level.”