Newcastle United midfielder Joe White has signed his first professional contract at St James’ Park, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Magpies have secured the exciting starlet to a long-term deal on his 17th birthday.
The Chronicle report that Newcastle wasted no time in offering White his first senior contract at the club, who now has the chance to push for a spot in the first-team.
White has impressed Bruce when given the opportunity to train with the senior squad this season and has been a regular feature for the club’s under-23s under Neil Redfearn.
OPINION
The rise of White at Newcastle has seen him become one of the club’s brightest upcoming talents. The 17-year-old has been given the chance to consistently feature for the under-23s, and he has taken that opportunity with both hands. A former coach of the midfielder, David Ballantyne, compared him to Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil, with his passing ability and vision on the ball two of his main attributes. That isn’t a bad comparison to have for a young midfielder trying to make a name for himself, and the fact that the Magpies moved so quickly to secure his future on his birthday highlights how highly he is thought of in the North East. White has already trained with the first-team this season under Steve Bruce, who was reported by the Chronicle to have been keen on tracking the youngster’s progress through the ranks since arriving. All signs are pointing in the right direction for White, who must now use this opportunity as a way to prove he is ready to make the step up to this senior squad permanently.
