Superb from Garang Kuol - Stunning goal at St James' as in-form Aussie stars in 7-1 win
Garang Kuol has had a tough time since arriving at Newcastle United over two years ago.
Loan spells at Hearts and Dutch side Volendam did not go to plan and he looked like a youngster crying out for some confidence when he featured for the first team in a post-season friendly in Australia last year.
However, after a pre-season injury scuppered his loan move plans before the 2024/25 campaign, the 20-year-old has been playing regularly for our Under-21s and reminding us all of his potential.
Kuol scores beauty at St James' Park
While the first team where cruising to a 3-0 win over Leicester last night, our Under-21s took on Reading in a Premier League 2 fixture at St James' Park.
Heading into the game, Kuol had managed six goals and three assists in his last 10 outings for our second string in all competitions, then added to that tally impressively with another two goals and two assists last night.
Taking his goal involvements up to 13 in his last 11 for the Under-21s, this was his standout moment in last night's 7-1 battering, as he cut in from the left and curled a lovely strike into the top corner to open the scoring at the Gallowgate End:
🇦🇺 Garang Kuol with a brilliant strike for the Under-21s at St James’ Park last night.
He scored twice, assisted two and won a penalty in a 7-1 win over Reading. #NUFC
— NUFCBlog.co.uk (@NUFCblogcouk) April 8, 2025
In that same game, Kuol also set up a second half goal for England Under-18 right-back Leo Shahar, won the penalty Jay Turner-Cooke converted, scored our sixth and set up a 90th minute seventh for Joe Brayson.
What next for Kuol?
His form at Under-21 level is encouraging, a sign of his talent and a huge confidence boost just when he needed it after two tough loan spells and a frustrating summer.
However, it's vital his next loan is the right one. Game time is essential, along with finding a club and manager who will utilise the Aussie forward in the right way; not play him out of position as he often was during last season's spell with Volendam.
It's also vital Kuol takes this confidence and belief into his next temporary move, as it may well make or break his hopes of breaking into Eddie Howe's senior squad.
But for now, it's just great to see him scoring and creating for fun with an Under-21 side on the rise and up to ninth in the Premier League 2, joint on points with Man Utd and just one shy of Arsenal in sixth.
