Garang Kuol: Newcastle beat Barcelona to sign future star in $515,000 deal

Newcastle United have agreed a deal to sign Garang Kuol from Central Coast, with the Australian teenager set to join the Premier League club in January.

The 18-year-old made his senior debut for the Mariners last year and scored within seven minutes of his introduction.

He netted four goals in his first seven appearances in his first season in the A-League, attracting interest from the likes of Celtic, Barcelona, Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund.

Newcastle had tracked the teenager for some time but had to act swiftly as Stuttgart made a bid and Barcelona proposed a two-year loan.

The Magpies, however, won the race for the Socceroos star and agreed a $515,000 fee with Central Coast.

Kuol will remain on loan at the A-League club until January, before moving to the Premier League.

'It's unreal. 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,' the teenager said.

'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.'

Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth added: 'Garang is a very promising young talent and we are excited that he'll be continuing his development as a Newcastle United player.

'Our philosophy is to invest in our Academy and in exciting young players for the future, as well as in players required to make an immediate impact in the first team.

'We wish Garang the best of luck in his remaining games with Central Coast Mariners and we hope to see him on the international stage again very soon.'

Kuol, who can play on either wing or as a striker, blossomed at Central Coast Mariners under the coaching of former Sheffield United midfielder Nick Montgomery.

The 18-year-old became the youngest player to be called up to the Socceroos since Harry Kewell, when he was included in the squad for two friendlies against New Zealand as Graham Arnold's men fine-tune their preparation ahead of the World Cup.

Kuol was born in Egypt where his family had fled from Sudan, before eventually moving to Australia when he was six years old and settling in northern Victoria.