BREAKING NEWS- Newcastle United confirms triple deals as West Ham United winger pictured with Newcastle United shirt
Newcastle United’s relentless academy recruitment drive continues to gain momentum this week as the club secures scholarships for three promising young talents.
Among the new recruits is 16-year-old striker Kayden Lucas, affectionately known as ‘Chumpy,’ who joins from Clevedon Town. Lucas, who demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess by netting nine goals in six under-18 matches, including an impressive four-goal performance witnessed by Newcastle scouts, has caught the eye of the Magpies.
Clevedon manager Alex White expressed his elation for Lucas, stating, “I’m over the moon for Chumpy. He’s chasing a dream, and this is a very positive step in that direction. He’s a humble lad with a brilliant attitude and obvious talent, but now the hard work starts for him. It’s been a pleasure to have him as part of the club and help in a small way on his journey. For the club, it’s obviously a great story and emphasizes the strong pathway and platform we provide for young players to develop and for their talents to be recognized and showcased, but all the credit for this one belongs to our Under 18 Manager Lee Archer.”
Lee Archer, a former professional footballer with Bristol Rovers, praised Lucas, saying, “He’s raw and has lots to work on, but as a club, it’s what you want with a kid his age. Chumpy deserves it all for the hard work he’s put in and for never giving up. The thing with Chumpy is he’s such a lovely lad and an amazing individual; as a person, he’s well-rounded, confident but not arrogant, and he has his feet firmly on the ground. I know it won’t go to his head, and I know Newcastle will treat him properly. If it’s right off the field for Chumpy, his head will be in the game on the pitch. I’m really excited to see what happens next, but we’ll stay in touch, and we’ll always be here for him.”
In addition to Lucas, Newcastle has also secured the services of 16-year-old defender Aaron Epia from Everton. Despite being offered a new contract by the Merseyside club, Epia chose to embark on a new journey in the North East.
Epia expressed his gratitude to Everton in a heartfelt message, stating, “I want to thank all the staff and players at @everton that have helped support my development over the last seven years. I’ve had a great journey. It has been a tough decision to decide, but I feel like the time has come for me to find a new challenge. I want to wish the club all the best for the future.”
Adding to the talent influx, Newcastle has also welcomed Ezra Tika-Lemba, who boasts a sponsorship deal with Puma, from West Ham United’s academy.
Since the club’s takeover in October 2021, Newcastle has made significant strides in bolstering their academy. Last summer, they successfully brought in a cadre of talent, including Leo Shahar, Traven Sanusi, Travis Hernes, and Cathal Heffernan. This ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent underscores Newcastle’s ambition to build a robust foundation for future success.