Newcastle United call-up 19-year-old striker v Aston Villa just months after free transfer
Newcastle United signed the 19-year-old in the summer following his exit from Levante.
Newcastle United have called up 19-year-old striker Afner Ca for this evening’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
The Guinea-Bissau frontman joined the Magpies in the summer following his departure from La Liga side Levante and has made an immediate impact at under-21s level.
Ca made his debut during a pre-season friendly draw with National League North club Spennymoor Town and grabbed his first goal as Robbie Stockdale’s young side claimed a 3-1 win at York City in an EFL Trophy tie last month.
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He then made a big impression as he hit a brace in a 4-1 Premier League Cup victory against Luton Town last Friday night and produced an eye-catching display in a National League Cup tie with Hartlepool United in midweek.
Newcastle United call up Afner Ca for Aston Villa match
As a reward for his strong start with the club’s second string, Ca has been called up for the visit of Villa to St James’ Park as the 21st man in the squad.
Speaking about Ca, Stockdale said recently: “He is growing and developing. He has some raw attributes to him which we need to tidy up. Again, he’s a different type of profile to the other forwards we have got. He likes to run, he likes to use his physical presence in the game.
“I’d like him to be a little bit tidier when he’s holding the ball up and bringing people into play - but again, he’s new to the building, he’s new to the environment.
“He’s a really interesting player. His English is really coming on when he wants to hear the right things. He gives you the deaf ear sometimes when he doesn’t. But he’s a really good boy as well. That’s the one thing, he’s eager to learn. He’s adding to the team.”