'Delighted' young forward signs pro deal with Newcastle United - scored six already this season
Newcastle United have agreed another professional contract with a promising academy star.
Newcastle United forward Alfie Seldon has signed his first professional contract with the club on his 17th birthday.
He follows in the footsteps of Mason Miley, George Mair and Kyran Thompson, all of whom have recently signed their first pro deals upon turning 17. Players below the age of 17 are not eligible to sign pro deals, but can be contracted to clubs as scholars.
Seldon has been with Newcastle’s academy since the age of seven and has got off to a flying start this season at Under-18s level with five goals in six Under-18s Premier League fixtures. He also broke into the Under-21s side with a debut appearance in the EFL Trophy win at York City last month.
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He also scored for the Under-21s in the National League Cup at Solihull Moors earlier this month, setting a record for the club’s youngest goalscorer in the competition.
Alfie Seldon ‘delighted’ with first pro deal at NUFC
Upon signing his first professional contract, Seldon told the club website: “I'm delighted to sign it. When you're young, working your way through the Academy to sign that first professional contract is what you're aiming to do.
"I've got lots of strong relationships with the Academy coaches as well as my teammates. I also feel like you get a lot of opportunities. I've been able to play with the Under-18s when I was 16 years old, playing in the UEFA Youth League with the Under-19s last season and recently playing with the Under-21s.
"My performances have been good and I think I've deserved it. I'm showing everyone the right side of me. I've gained a lot of confidence in the last 18 months which has helped me to get where I am.
“I back myself a lot more compared to what I did when I was younger."
First-team ambitions
Newcastle have not been shy in handing young players opportunities to train and be part of the first-team matchday squads this season. Matthias Jaissle named five academy players on the bench in last month’s 2-1 win over Hull City in the Premier League.
20-year-old Lewis Miley has also been a regular in the first-team in recent seasons after being handed an opportunity in the side. Players such as Mason Miley and Kyran Thompson have also been involved with the first-team shortly after signing their first professional contracts with the club.
"Having a lot of players in the first-team was amazing for the Academy because it shows there is a pathway into the first-team. If you play well, the opportunities are there for you to take.
"Everyone wants to make their professional debut for the first-team, whether that's in the Premier League or cup competitions, but one aim of mine this season is getting my first call-up with England. I've never had one but I think if I keep performing the way I am, it will hopefully come.
"Everyone wants to play for their national team and represent their country. It's something I want to strive for."