Newcastle are close to signing much-loved teenager Garang Kuol.
The 18-year-old currently plays for the Central Coast Mariners but the Magpies moved quickly to sign him.
He was due to arrive in the North East on Wednesday to sign the terms, with the move not becoming official until January when the transfer window opens.
Speed was key for Eddie Howe, with the Mail reporting that Stuttgart had already made an offer, while Barcelona wanted him on a two-year loan.
He is believed to cost around £300,000 and complete an initial loan spell after joining Newcastle.
Kuol’s family is from Sudan, but fled to Egypt, where Garang was born in 2004.
The family lived in Egypt for a year before moving to Australia as refugees.
Her father, Mawien, and her mother, Antonita, worked as dry cleaners, while Antonita also had a job as a seasonal worker in a fruit factory.
Kuol made his A-League debut for the Central Coast Mariners in April, scoring four goals in his first eight games.
He thrived under the tutelage of Nick Montgomery – the former Sheffield United midfielder.
Kuol also made his debut for the Australian national in a friendly against New Zealand in September.
If, and when, he completes his move to Newcastle, he will follow in the footsteps of his older brother Alou, who joined Stuttgart last year.
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