Newcastle United have invited two highly rated Gambian youngsters, Omar Marong and Alieu Saine, for trials as the Premier League club continues to monitor emerging African talent.
As announced by TMT Academy, the two players have been invited to spend between four and six weeks with Newcastle’s Under-19 side, where they will have an opportunity to impress the club’s technical staff and earn professional contracts.
Marong and Saine currently play for prominent Gambian football academy TMT Academy and attracted attention with their performances at the WAFU Zone A Under-17 Championship.
The duo played key roles in Gambia’s triumph at the tournament, with their displays reportedly attracting interest from several scouts.
Marong, a hardworking full-back, captained the Young Scorpions during their historic title-winning campaign, while versatile forward Saine finished as joint top scorer with four goals.
Newcastle will assess both players during their trial period before deciding whether to offer them contracts and provide them with an opportunity to begin their careers in English football.
The players arrived in Newcastle United this week and have settled in.
The youngsters will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Gambian Yankuba Minteh, who has established himself as one of the exciting young wingers in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Minteh has impressed since arriving at the Amex Stadium, attracting attention for his pace, direct running and attacking qualities. Liverpool were also reported to have shown interest in the winger last summer.
For Marong and Saine, a successful trial at Newcastle would represent a significant step towards fulfilling their ambitions of playing at the highest level of European football.
