It has been a memorable week for Garang Kuol after sealing a move to English Premier League side Newcastle United on Friday.
The 18-year-old precocious talent made his Subway Socceroos debut just a few days earlier, featuring as a substitute against New Zealand in Auckland to become the youngest player to represent Australia since Harry Kewell in 1996.
"It was an unreal experience and just happy to get my first cap and hopefully the first of many," he told Socceroos.com.au.
" It was good you know coming in the game like that against New Zealand you know I got a few touches here and the boys got around it so it all up all happy.
"I'm just happy to put the jersey on regardless of my age. And if I can just keep putting it on and keep making everyone proud."
It has been a meteoric rise for the Central Coast Mariners starlet, who scored four goals in his first seven A-League Men appearances after his debut in April.
He is yet to start a senior game in his burgeoning career.
READ MORE: Garang Kuol signs for Newcastle United
The speedster also turned heads following an impactful performance off the bench against FC Barcelona in the A-League All-stars match in May.
Kuol will remain with the Gosford club until January when the transfer window opens, though it is expected he will be loaned out to another European team due to not possessing a UK work permit.
For now though, his focus will be on the Mariners and ensuring he does everything possible to make Graham Arnold's 26-man squad and punch a ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar.
“It’s massive the World Cup is one of the biggest stages in football,” Kuol told Newcastle United.
“To go on that plane and go over it would be massive for me and my family.”
Born in an Egyptian refugee camp to South Sudanese parents, Kuol grew up in Shepparton, Victoria before following in his older brother, Alou's, footsteps, joining the Mariners in January 2021.
Alou experienced a similar ascent, bursting on the scene with Central Coast in 2020/21 and subsequently put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal with Germany's VfB Stuttgart.
Garang explained why he chose the Magpies amid reported interest from several big clubs.
“Well personally for me and my family the plan for me is to come play for the first team,” he added.
“And I when I see the beautiful stadium and I remember watching years ago thinking imagine playing there.
“Also the city, it’s a one club city – a lot of passion and a lot to play for.”
Some of Australia's greatest footballer have plied their trades in the Premier League from Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka to Brett Emerton and Mark Schwarzer, just to name a few.
Kuol said his aim is to enjoy a successful career in England's top-flight and emulate his predecessors.
“I just want to add to that calibre and be one of those players as well,” he said.
“The dream is to play Premier League consistently and hopefully surpass everyone from Australia.”
