‘I dream that ……’ – Newcastle United 2025 signing has revealed the main reason that made him Choose Newcastle over other top English Teams
Baran Yildiz Reflects on Shock Newcastle United Move as He Begins Premier League Journey
Baran Yildiz has openly shared his astonishment after receiving an unexpected opportunity to join English Premier League side Newcastle United earlier this year. The 18-year-old Turkish midfielder, previously with second-tier club Genclerbirligi, had not yet made a senior appearance in professional football before being spotted by Newcastle’s talent scouts.
Yildiz was discovered while playing in Turkey’s Under-19 Regional Amateur League — a lesser-known tier of the country’s youth football system. Despite his relatively modest footballing background, the Magpies saw potential in the young midfielder and made their move.
In February, Yildiz officially signed with Newcastle United, penning a deal that runs until June 2029. Since his arrival, he has made four appearances for the club’s under-18 side and was part of the squad that participated in the prestigious Dallas Cup tournament in the United States in April.
Although Newcastle did not issue a formal announcement about Yildiz’s signing, the player and his representatives confirmed the move through social media. Yildiz posted a photo of himself wearing the club’s kit inside St James’ Park, accompanied by a heartfelt message celebrating the major step in his young career.
“I am incredibly proud to have taken my first steps into the Premier League — the biggest and most competitive league in the world,” Yildiz wrote on Instagram. “I’ve dreamed of this moment for years, and to do it with a historic and passionate club like Newcastle United makes it even more special.”
He continued by expressing gratitude to those who played a vital role in his development and the realization of his dream. “I want to thank my family, my coaches, my manager and brother Batu Kaplan, our lawyer Anil Dincer, and my other brother Riza Koklu. Each of them has made an important contribution to this journey. This is just the beginning, and I promise to work tirelessly to represent my country and our flag in the best possible way.”
Batu Kaplan, head scout at Turkish club Kasimpasa and a key supporter of Yildiz, highlighted the significance of the transfer. He emphasized that Yildiz had made history by becoming the first Turkish footballer to move directly from the Under-19 Regional Amateur League to a Premier League club with an amateur license.
“For many years, we’ve helped talented African players make their mark in Europe,” Kaplan said. “Now, for the first time, I’m proud to witness a young Turkish brother achieve the same dream. Baran Yildiz’s journey is groundbreaking, and I congratulate him wholeheartedly on joining Newcastle United.”
Yildiz’s lawyer, Anil Dincer, echoed those sentiments and emphasized the broader impact of the move. “Baran’s transfer to Newcastle United is a tremendous achievement and an inspiring success story for Turkish youth,” Dincer said. “We hope this opens the door for many more young talents in Turkey to pursue careers in European football. We’re committed to supporting them every step of the way.”
This week, Yildiz shared more insights into his reaction to the transfer, admitting he was taken aback by Newcastle’s interest. Speaking to Turkish outlet Fotomac, the young midfielder said the offer came as a complete shock.
“I honestly couldn’t believe it at first,” Yildiz revealed. “I never expected something like this to happen at just 18 years old. My original dream was to play in the Turkish Super Lig before moving abroad. But this offer skipped that step entirely — it was incredibly surprising, and I’m still processing it.”
While Newcastle United have been relatively quiet in terms of senior signings in recent months, their recruitment efforts at the academy level have been active and ambitious. In addition to Yildiz, the club has also secured a deal for Vakhtang Salia, a promising forward from Dinamo Tbilisi, who will join once he turns 18 in August. Another notable addition is Kyle Fitzgerald, who has made the switch from Galway United in the League of Ireland.
Yildiz’s story is a testament to Newcastle’s evolving scouting network and commitment to identifying emerging talent in unconventional places. As he begins this new chapter in his career, all eyes will be on the young Turk to see how far his determination and talent can take him on English football’s biggest stage.