Garang Kuol, the 20-year-old Australian forward, has had a challenging journey since joining Newcastle United in January 2023. Initially, Kuol was seen as one of Australia’s brightest young talents, especially after his standout performances in the A-League and his remarkable achievement of becoming the youngest player since Pele to play in a World Cup knockout match. His potential caught the eye of several European clubs, and he made the move to Newcastle in the winter of 2023. However, his time with the club has been hindered by injuries, limiting his opportunities to establish himself.
Kuol’s first few months at Newcastle saw him make a brief appearance for the first team during a pre-season friendly against the German side SpVgg Unterhaching. He was also named on the bench for the team’s match against Hull City but did not feature. Shortly after, Kuol’s progress was stalled due to a knee injury, which led to him missing the club’s summer tour to Tokyo. To make matters worse, while recovering from the knee injury, Kuol suffered a further setback when he tore his right quad in training. This injury ruled him out for an extended period, and he was sidelined for about three months in total.
Despite these setbacks, Kuol is now back to full fitness. He recently made his return to action with the Newcastle United under-21s team in an EFL Trophy match against Mansfield Town. While Newcastle lost 3-0 in that match, it was an important step in Kuol’s recovery, as he managed to play for 62 minutes. Afterward, he expressed his joy of being back on the pitch via Instagram, saying it felt “good to be back.” His return is a positive sign, as the young forward looks to regain his match fitness and prove himself after a challenging period on the sidelines.
However, Kuol’s future at Newcastle United remains uncertain. The club is expected to reassess his situation when the January transfer window opens, and a loan move appears to be a likely option. During the summer transfer window, Kuol attracted interest from clubs in Portugal, Belgium, and even some in the English Football League (EFL). However, due to his injuries, he was unable to leave Newcastle and find regular playing time elsewhere. A loan move could provide him with the opportunity to gain more experience and play regularly, which would be important for his development as a player.
In the meantime, Kuol’s time in Europe has been mixed. While he was highly regarded in Australia before joining Newcastle, his loan spells at Hearts in Scotland and FC Volendam in the Netherlands have not been as successful as he or the club would have hoped. In total, he made just 25 appearances across both loan spells, which is far fewer than he had expected when he first made the move to Europe. Despite these struggles, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe included Kuol in the squad for the post-season tour to Australia in May 2024. During that tour, Kuol made his non-competitive debut for Newcastle, coming on as a substitute in a friendly match against Tottenham Hotspur, where he successfully converted his penalty in a shootout victory. Later, he also featured in a full match against the A-League All Stars, where Newcastle suffered an embarrassing 8-0 loss.
Kuol’s early promise is still evident, and there’s a sense that his potential has yet to be fully realized. His time in Europe has not been without its difficulties, but his return to fitness is a step in the right direction. As the January transfer window approaches, Newcastle will have to make a decision about his future. Given his lack of first-team opportunities and the need for regular playing time, a loan move could be the best option for all parties involved. If he can stay fit and secure a loan move to a club where he can get consistent game time, it could be a vital next step in his career, helping him develop and fulfill the potential that made him one of Australia’s most exciting young prospects.
In conclusion, Garang Kuol’s journey at Newcastle United has been filled with highs and lows. His early promise was tempered by injury, but now that he is back to full fitness, the club will look to find a solution for his future. With the January transfer window approaching, a loan move seems likely, giving Kuol the chance to continue his development and prove himself at a higher level.
