Newcastle United agree deal with former Liverpool youngster days after Champions League call-up
Newcastle United defender Issac Moran has signed his first professional contact at the club having joined the academy from Liverpool last summer.
Former Liverpool academy midfielder Isaac Moran has signed his first professional contract with Newcastle United.
Upon turning 17 on Saturday, Moran was able to formally sign his first professional contract. Players below the age of 17 are not eligible to sign pro deals, but can be contracted to clubs as scholars.
But Newcastle have shown their faith in the youngster, who has been converted to a centre-back since his arrival on Tyneside, by offering him a contract at the earliest possible opportunity.
It follows Moran’s call-up to first team training ahead of Newcastle’s Champions League clash against Barcelona at St James’ Park last week. While Moran can feature for Newcastle in the Premier League, he is ineligible to be included in the club’s Champions League squad due to UEFA rules.
The rules state that young players under the age of 21 can only be included in Champions League squads if they have been contracted to the club in question for at least two years.
As Moran joined Newcastle from Liverpool’s academy last summer, he is unable to be included.
But he will be hoping to break into Newcastle’s first-team in the future, having claimed the club is ‘the perfect place’ for him to develop as a player.
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Isaac Moran reacts to Newcastle United contract
Reflecting on his contract, Moran told the club website: "I'm very happy as it's a great opportunity. I was spoken to about how I'd be developed as a player and, most importantly, as a person.
"I've also moved into a new position, playing as a defender, and this is the perfect place to develop and become the best player I can be.
"It's different [playing in defence]. I can see the whole game in front of me now so that's a positive. I'd say reading the game is a good attribute of mine so it's been a good transition.
"I always thought it was going to happen. It was just about the right time and it's the perfect time at the perfect club to improve me as a defender."
Moran has been a regular at Under-18s level for Newcastle but has recently broken into the Under-21s squad.
"It was a very proud moment, making my debut for the Under-21s as a 16-year-old," Moran added. "When I've been training with the under-21s group as well as the first team squad, I've got to take everything in and be like a sponge, soaking up all the information I am given.
"It's been very beneficial going up against Premier League proven players [in training] and getting an early insight will help me, knowing that is the level I'm inspiring to get to everyday and, hopefully, I can be with them permanently in the future.
"I started off the season very strongly, changing roles and dropping into centre-back and every coach has been a big part of that, helping me to become the best version of myself everyday and, hopefully, that continues."
Academy director reacts to latest NUFC contract agreement
Academy Director Steve Harper has been impressed with Moran’s progress since arriving from Liverpool.
“Isaac has settled in really well since joining us from Liverpool in the summer, and he’s shown a real appetite to embrace the demands we set,” he said.
"His attitude to learning, both on and off the pitch, has been excellent and he’s demonstrated a strong willingness to take on information, push himself and adapt to the way we work.
“This contract is recognition of the progress he has made in a short period of time, but it’s also an important marker in what we hope will be a long development journey. He understands there is still plenty of hard work ahead and we’re looking forward to supporting him as he continues to grow within our programme.”