HUGE KEY BOOST: Newcastle United sign 16-year-old key man to huge contract agreement
Youth football talent scout The Secret Scout, who focuses on discovering and promoting young football prospects, reports this information.
Epia has played for Poland at the youth level but is also eligible to represent England and Nigeria.
At 16 years old, Epia might join the Magpies’ under-18 squad as soon as next season.
Transfermarkt notes that Epia has been associated with the club since April, having participated in a 1-0 loss to Wolves and a 2-1 victory over Leeds in the U18 Premier League.
Epia isn’t the first youth player to join Newcastle this year.
Newcastle is ushering in a new era of youth prospects at the club. This year, the Magpies have signed Alfie Harrison, 14-year-old CJ Afumuzor, and now Epia.
The Magpies are also reportedly interested in several youth players from Championship clubs.
One player of long-term interest is Blackburn Rovers’ Rory Finneran, who made his debut in Rovers’ FA Cup win against Cambridge United in January.
Middlesbrough prospect Ajay Matthews is set to leave the club this summer. According to The Secret Scout, Newcastle has had discussions and is hopeful of signing the 18-year-old, who scored 16 goals in 17 starts for the Boro youth side.
BOOM 💥 2008 born left sided centre back Aaron Apia has signed a contract with Newcastle United after leaving Everton #NUFC
16-year-old Apia has represented Poland national team. He can also represent #England 🏴 and #Nigeria 🇳🇬
Newcastle’s youth project continuing to grow pic.twitter.com/71xdEVm5Gh
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) June 23, 2024
Several youth players have been released from Newcastle amid a youth recruitment drive.
The Magpies recently announced that several players will leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts.
Lucas De Bolle, Amadou Diallo, and Michael Ndiweni are among those who have departed.
Another young prospect, Yankuba Minteh, could leave this summer for a substantial fee. Minteh has expressed his desire to join Everton in a deal potentially worth up to £40 million.
Minteh has also attracted interest from major European clubs such as Liverpool, Lyon, and Borussia Dortmund, who are keen to sign the Gambian international.