Newcastle Jets starlet handed senior contract

Newcastle Jets have announced that scholarship player, Angus Thurgate has been upgraded to a senior contract for the 2018/19 Hyundai A-League season.

It has been rapid rise to the senior squad for the Port Macquarie product – who signed a scholarship contract midway through the 2017/18 season – after some standout performances in the club’s youth system.

Thurgate’s contract has also been extended a further two seasons, which will see him in the red and blue until the end of the 2021/22 season.

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Thurgate made several Hyundai A-League appearances off the bench in 2017/18, making his debut against the Brisbane Roar at McDonald Jones Stadium in Round 16.

Jets boss, Ernie Merrick said he was impressed by the way Thurgate had taken to the rigours of professional football.

“Gus is an excellent young player, with an attacking mindset, great versatility, speed and strength,” Merrick said.

“After bringing him in as a train-on player last season, I knew he was a talent we needed to invest in.

“He’s taken his opportunity with both hands and been really impressive.”

Thurgate

Jets CEO, Lawrie McKinna said Thurgate’s contract upgrade illustrated the clear player development pathways the club had established.

“We take a pretty common sense approach to doing business here at the club – if it makes sense we just go ahead and do it,” McKinna said.

“That’s been evident across a number of extensions and changes we’ve made across the squad, rewarding Angus with this upgrade is just another example of that.

“Gus has been first class and he’s paving the way for others to make the leap from our Academy to our youth system and into the first team.”

Thurgate said he couldn’t be happier to extend his stay with the Jets.

“It’s been a pretty crazy year to be honest with they way everything has panned out, but to be recognised by Ernie and the coaching staff with this upgrade is great,” Thurgate said.

“I’ve been really enjoying my time around the group, I’ve learnt so much already and I’m looking forward to another big season.”

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This article was originally published on the Hyundai A-League website.
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