Newcastle winger signs new contract

The 19-year-old,currently on loan at League Two side Carlisle United, has put pen to paper on a deal which will keep him at St. James's Park until 2018, with the option of a further year.

He has impressed during his loan spell at Carlisle, where he will remain for the rest of the season, and head coach Steve McClaren says he deserves his new deal.

Gilliead said: "Newcastle is my boyhood club - I've always wanted to play for them and always will want to play for them, so as soon as I knew they wanted to offer me a new contract, I jumped at it.

"I've grown up a lot over the last few months at Carlisle and I think the loan has really helped me to get into this position."

McClaren added: "Alex is a tricky wide player, someone who is very direct and is doing very well at Carlisle United.

"He has chosen the right career path by going on loan, impressing and earning a new contract.

"He is a player with a good future."

Gilliead is yet to make his first team debut for Newcastle but was an unused substitute at Leicester City in the FA Cup in January 2015 and is a current England Under-20 international.