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A Newcastle United official announcement on Tuesday has revealed that both Leo Shahar and Trevan Sanusi have signed professional contracts with NUFC.
The exciting teenagers were lured from Wolves and Birmingham City respectively.
Now with both of them having turned 17, they have signed their first professional contracts.
Great to see the time, care and resources now getting put into the potential stars of the future, after a waste of a decade and a half when Mike Ashley refused to allow any kind of proper investment in the younger age groups.
Newcastle United official announcement – 14 May 2024:
Teenage duo Trevan Sanusi and Leo Shahar have put pen to paper on their first professional contracts with Newcastle United.
The highly-rated pair, who joined the Magpies last summer from Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively, have both broke into United’s under-21s side in recent months and the promising duo, both representatives of England at under-17 level, have agreed full pro deals.
Sanusi, who celebrated his 17th birthday last month, is a winger capable of playing on both flanks and scored on his full home debut for United’s second-string in a Premier League 2 clash against Chelsea in March.
The talented youngster, who was named on the bench for Birmingham City’s final Championship fixture of the 2022/23 campaign, has established a regular place in the young Magpies’ squad of late and has been rewarded with a maiden pro contract.
Sanusi told newcastleunited.com: “It’s overwhelming and a dream come true to sign my first professional contract as I’ve been working for it for my whole life. I’m really excited to keep pushing on and prove to everyone who gave me that contract.
“I stayed humble and didn’t expect it. I kept working hard until I got the contract, which I have now, but I’ll keep on working and won’t be stopping.
“I see a very good pathway in the Academy and trying to make it into the first-team. I back myself to play as well as possible and try to do that, following in the footsteps of those who have done so this season.
“I’d say my best memories this season would be scoring my first goal for the under-21s as well as playing in the UEFA Youth League, winning away at Paris Saint-Germain.”
Shahar, who primarily plays as a right-back, spent 10 years at Wolves’ youth set-up before joining Newcastle and made his under-21s debut during an EFL Trophy clash away at League Two outfit Crewe Alexandra in November.
The versatile defender, capable of playing in midfield, is hopeful of following in the footsteps of current Magpies full-backs Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento.
He added: “Seeing the likes of Trippier and Livramento playing well for the first-team makes me want to thrive and try to get into a similar position that they are in. The fans love those two and I want to push on to try and get into that spot. I’m going to work as hard as I can everyday on the training pitch to get to that spot.
“Signing my first professional contract is everything I have dreamt of since I was a kid. To get that opportunity at such a big club like Newcastle United is outstanding and I’m hoping to keep pushing on.
“I’ve been getting great opportunities with the under-21s this season as well as playing in the UEFA Youth League and representing England (at under-17 level) so I thought that was such a big reason in wanting to commit my future here.”
Academy Director Steve Harper said: “We are delighted to secure both Trevan and Leo to their first professional deals.
“Being in a position to compete nationally to sign such young players shows how much the club value young talent and we really appreciate the backing of the Board.
“Through the hard work of everyone involved and support of the ownership, we are now in a position to provide a high level of staffing, programme and a pathway to allow young players to develop. The opportunity is there, now it’s up to the boys.
“We look forward to announcing further first professional contracts over the next couple of months.”

 
