The Garang Kuol hype train has well and truly left the station.
The subject of Episode 03 of A-Leagues All Access, Kuol was included in the Socceroos’ squad for this month’s FIFA Men’s World Cup – and showed the world his array of talents with a two-goal blitz against Macarthur FC in his last Isuzu UTE A-League appearance before venturing to Qatar.
All the while preparing to make the life-changing move from Central Coast Mariners to the richest team in world football – Premier League outfit Newcastle United – in January.
It’s been a rapid rise for the 18-year-old Isuzu UTE A-League sensation, who truly announced himself on the global stage with a dazzling display against LaLiga powerhouse Barcelona in May before making an impact on his Socceroos bow in September.
A loan switch beckons for Kuol in the short term at Newcastle but how has his signing been received and what are they expecting at St James’ Park? i Paper Sport Northern Football correspondent Mark Douglas provided a view from Tyneside.
“It’s a hugely exciting signing,” he told KEEPUP.
“As well as reshaping their senior side, Newcastle’s new owners have made no secret of their desire to recruit some of the best young talents in the world, putting the Magpies on equal footing with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City for whom this kind of signing is fairly routine.
“They’ve looked at emerging talent in Brazil but this is the first deal they’ve successfully brokered so interest in him is huge. Garang is clearly a magnificent raw talent but what’s really intriguing for Newcastle fans is how their new footballing hierarchy – which is overseen by the highly-rated former FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth – develop Kuol.
There is a plan for his progression and that should help turn his potential into Premier League pedigree.
‘This is a city that reveres flair players’: He’ll become an overnight celebrity
Six months ago, Kuol was an unknown. Now, the teenage sensation is the new poster boy of Australian football.
Kuol – who became the youngest Socceroos debutant since 1996 – took the A-League Men by storm last season, scoring four goals without starting a match for Mariners. He also came off the bench and scored a goal as Central Coast overturned a two-deficit in a 4-2 victory against Western United.
While still a raw talent, the starlet has the x-factor, that has catapulted him into the World Cup mix. Something that will be appreciated among Geordies.
“It’s a great story, isn’t it? A player from humble beginnings coming to England and emerging as a star… someone should write a film about it,” Douglas said.
“As for Kuol he’s a fairly unknown quantity – if such a thing exists in the world of YouTube and social media – but you only have to see how comfortable he is with the ball at his feet to recognise Newcastle have secured a rare talent.
This is a city that reveres flair players so for a precocious talent its a great place to land. The A-Leagues has some coverage here in England, although not especially prominent, and fans have been poring over footage of their new star.
“His fledgling international career is also being watched with a keen eye here in Tyneside. Australia have picked up a few new fans in the North East of England and if he gets on the pitch, it’ll be fascinating to see how he does in a tough-looking group.”
After fleeing Egypt and relocating to Australia, Garang Kuol – the younger brother of Stuttgart’s Alou – and his South Sudanese family ended up in Shepparton.
Based in regional Victoria, it’s there where a young Garang made a name for himself at the Suns before making the move to the Mariners, just like his brother Alou.
“What a story it is. His footballing family is one thing but it is inspiring to hear he escaped such a terrible situation in Sudan to become what he is today,” said Douglas.
“Newcastle is a welcoming, vibrant and multicultural city so he will find a warm embrace. Plus it’s football-mad so he will become an instant, overnight celebrity in the region.”
Kuol the face of Newcastle’s new vision
Newcastle are emerging as a juggernaut in the Premier League after the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) takeover.
Highly rated sporting director Dan Ashworth joined the revolution, but head of recruitment – Steve Nickson – has been an unheralded hero for his work in the transfer market, especially after Kuol’s arrival.
“I think we can credit Steve Nickson, Newcastle’s low profile but highly-rated head of recruitment as the man with the vision to take a punt on an A-league star,” Douglas said.
“He was the one pushing Miguel Almiron’s case and has been actively targeting untapped markets like Latin and Central America.
“But this is a move only possible because of a new ownership group with deep pockets. Their vision is to go out and buy players who – in their words – will come on the journey with them.
What that means in practice is talents yet to reach their peak – and they want to be battling Barcelona and their Premier League title rivals for those players. Now they have a vision to sell and funds to do it, making a sales pitch to Kuol was much easier.
Douglas added: “Newcastle have signed a fair few players down the year for sizeable fees but very few recent ones – maybe only Ayoze Perez – have fulfilled their potential.
“Many others have disappeared without trace or never got further than the under-23s. That breeds caution around Kuol but there is a reason clubs of the calibre of Barcelona want you.
It feels like he’s signed at the right time – the club is brimming with ambition but not established enough yet for it to be too difficult to get in the side. Newcastle will hope this signing ends up being a real statement of intent.
