Victorian-raised Garang Kuol set to join EPL club Newcastle United in January 2023.
The Socceroos’ transfer to Newcastle caps off a spectacular rise for the Australian refugee - his family hail from Khartoum in Sudan and fled to Egypt, where Garang was born, before moving to Shepparton.
The promising 18-year-old said it was “unreal” to have signed for the Premier League club.
“As a young boy in Australia, the Premier League is the main thing that everyone watches but nobody thinks they'll reach those heights,” Kuol told the Newcastle website.
“To be one of those people, to be in the position I am, it's amazing.
“Playing in the premier league in front of these passionate fans will be unreal.”
Despite his meteoric rise to stardom, Kuol said he was determined to continue to work hard to emulate former Socceroos greats in the Premier League.
“The dream is to play in the premier league consistently and hopefully surpass everyone from Australia,” he said.
“Nothing has changed in terms of my motives and my willingness to play well consistently.
“Now that I have signed for Newcastle, I want to train hard, play hard and hopefully go to the World Cup and come back here in January.”
After receiving his Socceroos debut against New Zealand last month, he has his sights set on gaining selection to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
“It was a proud moment (making Socceroos debut) for me and my family, I have been watching the Socceroos since I was a child and have dreamt of playing in the green and gold,” Kuol said.
“The World Cup is the biggest stage in football and to get to go on that plane would be massive for me and my family.”
Newcastle United sporting director, Dan Ashworth said Kuol was a “very promising” young talent.
“We are excited that he'll be continuing his development as a Newcastle United player.
"Our philosophy is to invest in our Academy and in exciting young players for the future, as well as in players required to make an immediate impact in the first team.
"We wish Garang the best of luck in his remaining games with Central Coast Mariners and we hope to see him on the international stage again very soon."