Midfielder Mace Goodridge has joined Burnley after Newcastle United opted to release him ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The news was confirmed on the Clarets official website and the player himself revealed the news on his official Twitter feed, where he stated: “New beginnings.”
new beginnings✨⚽️ pic.twitter.com/T9ubZSg8Ap
— MG (@macegoodridge) July 3, 2018
Goodridge, 18, will now go into the U23s set-up at Turf Moor.
The starlet only arrived at St James’ Park back in 2016 from Manchester City’s youth-team but his switch has even earned recognition from former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell, who stated that the youngster has “Big potential” on social media and hopes that he can thrive at his new club.
Good young player with Big Potential! Hopefully he’ll thrive at Burnley! ⚽️👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿😉 https://t.co/bvOnI1ghnF
— Kevin Campbell (@1kevincampbell) July 5, 2018
OPINION:
Goodridge will undoubtedly be disappointed not to have made more of an impact on Rafa Benitez and the youth set-up throughout his time with the club but a move to Burnley should still be considered a step in the right direction, especially with the Clarets history of blooding youngsters into the side. The Premier League side rely heavily on their youth team players and use that set-up combined with the transfer market to keep them ticking over in England’s top-flight. With so much competition for places at St James’ Park, Goodridge was unlikely to ever get a real look in at getting into the side so it makes sense for both parties that this move has been completed. The 18-year-old is a tough-tackling, energetic presence in the centre of the park and Campbell is right, if he can be handled correctly and given the correct guidance then the player should not see this is a rejection from Newcastle but just another step in his career.
