Newcastle United youngster Sam Alabi has penned his first professional deal with the club, sparking excitement among fans and drawing a congratulatory comment from Liverpool full-back Jeremie Frimpong. The 17-year-old midfielder was named on the bench for four first-team fixtures last season, including the Champions League defeat in Marseille, Premier League trips to Manchester United and Burnley, and an FA Cup win over Bournemouth.
Alabi's Journey and Ambition
Alabi joined Newcastle from Oldham three years ago and has impressed at both under-21 and under-18 levels. He took to Instagram to express his delight: "Delighted to have signed my 1st professional contract and commit my future to @nufc. Difficult end to last season through injury but happy to be back. Only the beginning and my full focus is on the season ahead and to continue from the progress I’ve made. Another big season ahead an excited for what’s to come. Let’s get to work."
The post attracted replies from several Newcastle players, as well as Frimpong, who commented "Well done broski," and Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu. The connection stems from Alabi training in the off-season with Frimpong and Dorgu under personal football coach Seedorf Duah, who also works with Newcastle forward Will Osula.
Other Academy Pro Contracts
Alabi is not the only Newcastle youngster to sign a professional contract this summer. Mason Miley, as first reported by the academy notebook in May, along with Kacey Wooster, Henry Johnson, Guy Bloomer, and Jake Durrant have all signed their first pro deals after progressing through the club's youth ranks. They will join Robbie Stockdale's under-21 squad for the new campaign.
Wooster, an 18-year-old striker who joined from Southend United as a 15-year-old, scored double figures in the under-18 Premier League last season. Johnson, a centre-back who can also play full-back, captained the under-18 side. Bloomer and Durrant play at right-back and left-back respectively.
Former Newcastle Players Seek New Clubs
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Max Thompson, released at the end of last month, has been training with League Two side Rotherham United in hopes of earning a contract. The 21-year-old was on the bench for seven Champions League games last season before a loan spell at Ayr United. Rotherham boss Alex Bruce confirmed: "He trained yesterday for the first time. We'll be looking at trying to get him in again next week to have more of a look at him."
Another former academy goalkeeper, Will Anderson, has been on trial with National League North club South Shields. The 18-year-old, released by Newcastle earlier this summer, appeared in a pre-season friendly win over Blyth Town. He may feature again when South Shields host a Sunderland XI on Saturday.
