NUFC chief spotted with new signing – Photo confirmation with move imminent

Newcastle United’s pre-season began on a sour note with a heavy 4-0 defeat at Celtic Park, a result that many fans will quickly want to forget.

Goals from Arne Engels, Jonjoe Kenny, Yang Hyun-Jun, and Liam Scales gave Celtic a comprehensive win in the Adidas Trophy fixture.

The absence of key players such as Alexander Isak, Joelinton, Lewis Hall, and Tino Livramento was clearly felt, as manager Eddie Howe opted to manage his top stars’ minutes carefully at this early stage of the summer.

Despite the lack of significant senior signings so far this transfer window, there was at least one intriguing development on the sidelines.

A new potential addition to the club’s youth ranks was spotted at the stadium, hinting that his official arrival is now only a matter of time.

South Korean winger Park Seung-soo, just 18 years old, was seen watching the match at Celtic Park, seated alongside newly-appointed Head of Strategy Jack Ross.

Though not yet officially announced as a Newcastle United player, Park’s presence all but confirms that his transfer is imminent.

Earlier in the week, it was reported that Park had arrived in the UK for a medical, and the deal appears close to completion.

Newcastle are believed to have secured his signature ahead of strong competition from Bayern Munich and Marseille, a significant statement given his reputation as one of Asia’s most promising young talents.

Reports also indicate that instead of being loaned out, Park is likely to begin his career with the club’s under-21 side, where he will have the opportunity to adapt to English football and integrate into the Newcastle setup.

The question now is whether he might feature in Newcastle’s upcoming pre-season tour of Asia.

Following the disappointing display against Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, and with only Anthony Elanga signed as a first-team reinforcement so far, Howe could be tempted to involve more youth players in the coming fixtures.

Names like Sean Neave, Alex Murphy, and Leo Shahar have already generated buzz within the club’s academy, and a tour through Asia might offer the perfect platform to test their readiness for senior football.

Park’s potential inclusion would be especially meaningful, as the club will face Team K-League and Tottenham Hotspur in his native South Korea.

Giving him a runout in front of a home crowd could be a perfect way to introduce him to the fanbase and begin his journey at Newcastle on a positive note.

His presence would not only energize local supporters but also demonstrate the club’s growing global reach.

Meanwhile, one young player who is unlikely to feature heavily in the tour is Antonio Cordero. The Spanish forward recently helped his country reach the finals of the U-19 European Championship and is now expected to go out on loan.

Ajax has been mentioned as a possible destination, offering him valuable playing time to continue his development.

While Saturday’s result on the pitch was disappointing, Newcastle’s work off the field continues to show ambition.

The likely arrival of Park Seung-soo reflects a long-term strategy to identify and secure emerging talent from around the world, and fans may soon get a glimpse of the future if the youngster takes to the field during the Asian tour.