Newcastle United outcast travels to USA for MLS trial

The former USA under-20 international is yet to make his senior debut for the Magpies since moving to Tyneside in July 2019 and is believed to have been told that he will not be offered a new contract when his current deal expires this summer.

FC Cincinnati head coach and former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam is a long-term admirer of the midfielder and was keen to take him to Reading during his time in charge at the Championship club.

Positive relations between United head of recruitment Steve Nixon and Cincinnati general manager Gerard Nijkamp are also believed to have played a key role in Scott being made aware of the MLS club’s interest.

The 23-year-old travelled to the States on Friday morning and will undergo a seven-day quarantine before training with Cincinnati’s senior squad for the following two weeks.

He will then travel with the squad to Orlando for a training camp later in March and could feature in a series of friendly fixtures against fellow MLS sides.

It is believed that Cincinnati are keen to inform the player and United of their final decision by the middle of April – although talks regarding any potential contract offer have not yet reached the advanced stage.

A source close to Scott revealed that the player sees the potential move as a way to kickstart his senior career and he is excited by the ambition that is being shown on and off the pitch by the MLS side.

The Orange and Blue are preparing to move into their impressive new 26,000 capacity West End Stadium and the facilities at their Mercy Health Training Centre have been described as “top class”.

Scott is also believed to have been impressed by the investment that his potential employers have made in securing the services of a number of highly-rated youngsters as they look to improve on a poor performance in the MLS Eastern Conference last season.

Cincinnati were sat bottom of the table after winning just four of their 23 league fixtures during the regular MLS season.

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