'Best of luck' - Defender issues farewell message after joining Newcastle United

In today’s Premier League, the focus on youth academies has grown significantly due to the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Football clubs now rely heavily on their academies to either develop the next generation of stars, saving millions in transfer fees, or to sell young talent for pure profit, enhancing their financial capabilities.

The role of academies in modern football has become more crucial than ever, with clubs investing heavily to ensure they can maximize their spending power while adhering to financial regulations.

Since the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia took control of Newcastle United three years ago, the club’s academy has seen a significant overhaul, and this transformation is still ongoing.

The expansion of the academy’s staff has allowed Newcastle to not only scout talent locally in the North East but also extend their search for promising young players across the entire country. This broader talent search reflects the club’s ambition to develop a strong academy that can compete with the best in the league.

One of the most recent additions to Newcastle’s academy is 14-year-old defender Lesecond Yeutembip, who was signed from Charlton Athletic.

Yeutembip traveled with the Magpies’ academy to Japan in August as part of the club’s involvement in the J-League International Series 2024. While Eddie Howe’s first team faced off against Urawa Red Diamonds and Yokohama F. Marinos, the under-15 team played against a J-League representative side, though the match ended in a 7-3 defeat.

Yeutembip only officially confirmed his departure from Charlton last week, taking to social media to express his gratitude. He stated, “After seven amazing years at Charlton Athletic, I can now share that I’ve left the club. I want to express my gratitude to my teammates and the incredible staff at Charlton Athletic for all the support and opportunities they’ve provided me on my journey. This isn’t the end! Best of luck, you Addicks!” His move to Newcastle is seen as part of the club’s ongoing effort to strengthen its youth setup and bring in top talent for the future.

Another recent addition to the Newcastle academy is midfielder Jayden Kouossu, who joined the club after leaving West Bromwich Albion. Kouossu, born in Milan but raised in England, also trialed at Fulham and Chelsea before deciding to sign with Newcastle.

His addition to the under-15s is another example of Newcastle’s proactive approach to securing young talent with the potential to develop into first-team players in the future.

These signings demonstrate Newcastle’s commitment to building a strong academy that not only nurtures talent but also has the ability to attract promising young players from other clubs.

By investing in youth development, Newcastle is positioning itself to compete both on the pitch and financially by potentially avoiding expensive transfer fees while producing top-tier talent that can either serve the first team or be sold for profit.

The ongoing changes in Newcastle’s academy reflect the club’s broader ambitions under its new ownership. With increased resources and a clear strategy to develop young talent, Newcastle aims to establish itself as a Premier League powerhouse.

The emphasis on youth development also aligns with the financial realities imposed by the Premier League’s PSR, which requires clubs to balance their books while remaining competitive in the transfer market.

As Newcastle continues to revamp its academy, the hope is that young players like Yeutembip and Kouossu will become integral parts of the club’s future success.

These moves not only signal a focus on the long term but also show that the club is serious about competing at the highest levels of English football, both now and in the years to come.

The Magpies’ commitment to their academy is evident, and with a continued focus on identifying and developing young talent, Newcastle United could soon reap the rewards both on the field and financially.

By investing in their academy, Newcastle is ensuring that they can continue to compete in the modern game, where the ability to develop homegrown talent has become as valuable as big-money transfers.