Former Newcastle United academy star agrees to second South Shields FC stint

Former Newcastle United academy star Lucas De Bolle is looking to make the most of his second spell with South Shields FC after returning to the National League North club on a short-term deal.

The former Scotland Under-21 international recently returned from an 18-month spell with Portuguese second tier outfit Portimonense and has spent time with other clubs in recent weeks - but he will now resume his career with the Mariners after holding talks with head coach Mike Williamson.

De Bolle scored one goal and provided three assists in nine appearances after reuniting with his former Magpies academy coach Elliott Dickman at Mariners Park in November 2024 - and his performances were enough to land a move to Portugal. However, he is now relishing the opportunity to impress in front of the South Shields faithful once again and he believes he has returned to take his place in ‘a better team’.

He said: “I was here for a short time last time, I think eight or nine games, and I really enjoyed my time and I’m really looking to enjoy my time, for however long it is, again here with probably a better team that it was. I really like the manager and the staff so I am really excited. Firstly, it would be winning games with the situation where the club is. I think the goal is pretty clear so it’s winning games, feeling that pressure of having to deliver performances week-in, week-out to get three points, to play in front of the fans too. I really enjoyed playing at home especially because I thought the fans were great.”

‘I am a much better player’

By his own admission, De Bolle was not handed the opportunities he would have liked during his spell in Portugal and he made just three league appearances as Portimonense looked to bounce back from the relegation they suffered just months before his arrival. Despite being unable to make the impact he would have hoped to make in the Algarve, the classy midfielder insisted he is returning to South Shields as a better player and is now determined to show his level as his second stint with the club gets underway.

He explained: “It was a good learning process at a good level. The football was slightly different, you’d expect Portugal to be technical but it was big on duels and big on work-rate so I am just looking bring what I have learnt from there into here. I feel like since I left England and went to Portugal, I am a much better player than I was and I feel like I deserved more opportunities in Portugal - but it just never came. So I am just looking to kick on, get on in games, prove what I have improved on and show my level.”

De Bolle could make the first appearance of his second spell with South Shields when Williamson’s men host National League North promotion rivals Chester on Saturday afternoon.

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