There was another boost for the Newcastle United academy after one prospect received a first international call-up.

Newcastle United prospect Matheos Ferreira has been rewarded for his impressive progression within the Magpies academy setup by receiving a shock call-up to the Brazil Under-20 squad.

The 18-year-old winger has made rapid strides over the last 12 months after impressing within the United Under-18s and Under-21s sides and he made his first appearances at first-team level during the preparations for the current Premier League season.

Ferreira caught the eye for the Magpies Under-18s as he plundered his way to a hat-trick in an FA Youth Cup win against Portsmouth last December before going on to shine with Robbie Stockdale’s Under-21s in the second half of last season. Speaking after that win against Pompey, Magpies academy coach Chris Moore gave a positive assessment of the winger’s ability and his performance on a memorable night.

Speaking after the game, Moore told The Gazette: “The thing with Matheos is he has loads of ability and loads of cutting edge - but he did his bit for the team as well. He did a really good job for the team, he worked really hard and he did all of that side of it. Then that’s a good platform for him to show his attacking bits. He scored different goals tonight, he ran in behind, he carried the ball really well and then the last goal, he’s got in at the back post, you have to gamble, put that work in, get up the pitch and get in the middle when you might not get it and he’s done that and got his rewards.”

After featuring at first-team level in pre-season, Ferreira has gone on to make 12 appearances at Under-21s level and found the net against senior opposition as Robbie Stockdale’s side faced Boreham Wood and York City in the National League Cup and EFL Trophy respectively.

The youngster, who also qualifies to play for Italy and England, will now get a chance to impress at international level after he became the only English-based player to be named in the Brazil Under-20s squad for upcoming friendlies against Japan and Singapore.

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