Newcastle announce Kyran Thompson deal after Arsenal raid

Newcastle United recently announced that highly-rated trio Kyran Thompson, Christian Boothe and Kyle Healy-Matthews had joined the club’s Academy.

NUFC Blog exclusively revealed Healy-Matthews' arrival from West Ham in June, and also shared that Boothe was due to sign from Leicester a month ago.

Over the weekend, Newcastle then announced that Thompson had signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 17-year-old arrived from Arsenal over the summer, joining our high-flying Under-18 side after failing to agree a new contract in North London.

Thompson is an exciting winger and England youth international, representing the Young Lions at Under-17 level.

Thompson reveals why he joined Newcastle

Speaking to the club's official website, Thompson discussed his new deal, his style of play and the reason he left Arsenal for Newcastle, talking up the pathway in place to senior level. 

"It's been a lot of hard work towards signing my first professional contract. I believe joining Newcastle was the right step towards what I want to achieve. I'm happy to be here and very excited for the future.

"My strengths would be dribbling, drifting inside and being able to play the ball in-behind. I'm a technical player who likes to create chances and score goals for the team.

"A big reason why I came here was the chance to play Under-21s football and be able to train with the first team, getting pushed and exposed to senior football as quickly as possible. I feel like this is the right place to do that."

The youngster then revealed how he's found the first month on Tyneside.

"So far, it's been top but I expected it to be like this when I was thinking of signing," he added. "It's been hard missing my family, especially my brothers, but I think, in life, you've got to make sacrifices and believe it will all be worth it in the end.

"They have been able to visit me sometimes and I've been able to visit them but I just feel being at Newcastle is the right thing to do for my career.

"I think I'm familiar with joining a new club after moving to Arsenal from West Ham before but I've been working really hard on and off the pitch. It's been an experience I've really enjoyed it so far.

"The coaches have helped me a lot to help to settle in and I need to keep doing my thing on the pitch. I'm excited to get started with the Under-21s with the aim of trying to break into the first team."

Harper hails new Academy recruit

Academy Director, Steve Harper, has hailed the first impression Thompson has left, encouraging the 17-year-old to build on such a positive start to life at Newcastle.

“Kyran has handled a big move at a young age exceptionally well and has made a positive impression on everyone here.

“Signing a professional contract is a big moment for him and is a reward for the standards he’s set early on, and now the challenge is to keep building on that.

“He understands the pathway ahead of him, and we’ll continue to guide him as he strives towards Under‑21s football and beyond.”

A name to watch out for in the coming years. Congratulations, Kyran!