The Athletic have released an in-depth piece on Garang Kuol; the Aussie talent currently on loan with Hearts.
After a frustrating spell with the Scottish side – which has seen him play just 195 minutes of football – Dan Ashworth is already drawing up plans for the 18-year-old; who has been earmarked for the first-team squad around the 2024/25 season.
It’s believed he will secure another season-long loan move this summer, with the club and player determined to get this sorted ASAP to maximise his pre-season.
The teenager is also expected to remain in Britain so he can experience the physical style of play, acclimatise to the weather and remain relatively close to Newcastle – enabling regular visits from loan manager Shola Ameobi and making it easy for him to return to Newcastle for check ups.
As for his January move to Hearts, The Athletic reveal why Tynecastle was a good fit – despite offers from the Championship, Portugal and Germany.
They report that the 90-minute train journey appealed – keeping him close to his new home in Newcastle and without the upheaval of moving abroad after only just arriving from Australia at the age of 18.
The short train ride has also made it possible for Shola Ameobi to visit regularly, while the presence of three Aussie internationals already at Hearts — Kye Rowles, Cameron Devlin, and Nathaniel Atkinson has helped him settle after leaving his family home on the other side of the world at such a young age.
Playing at a club within the UK has also helped him earn Governing Body Endorsement points (GBE) from the FA – a key factor towards securing a work permit.
His spell at Hearts hasn’t been ideal – he’s been an unused substitute in each of their last five games and is yet to register a goal or an assist – but you can understand the club’s reasoning at the time.
With staff hoping to see him in Howe’s first-team squad in two years time, let’s hope Dan Ashworth can secure the right loan move over the coming weeks and months.
