Newcastle United’s youth system is not famed for the quality of players it produces; but in the last couple of years there have been promising developments. Andy Carroll and Nile Ranger have made the step up to the first team and both look as they have the potential to be good players. A youngster named Haris Vučkić was signed by the club last year and though he has not come through the academy, Vučkić has impressed greatly in the youth teams.
Vučkić joined the club last January and it was quite a coup as at the time he was one of the most sought after young players in Europe and had undergone a trial at AC Milan before securing a move to Newcastle. He is still only 17, but Vučkić has already made appearances in the first-team as he came on as a substitute in the League Cup and the league in the early part of the season.
A skilful player with good technique, Vučkić can play as an attacking midfielder, second striker or as a winger. He scored on his debut for the Newcastle reserves and has impressed the coaching staff with his ability on the ball and his confidence. Unfortunately he was injured in late October and has been ruled out 3 months, but he is expected to return imminently. He already trains with the first team and is a player that the club have really high hopes for.
Vučkić qualifies to play for Slovenia and turned out at the under-19 Championships over the summer despite only being 16. He did not look out of place playing against players significantly older than him and his technical ability is already of a high standard. He took a few months to settle into life in the North-East but over the summer and the beginning of the season he began to blossom. The likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United have been linked with the wonderkid, but Newcastle are confident of holding on to him and he is likely to play some part in the latter stages of the season.