'I'm very happy': Newcastle United 'wonderkid' hasn't fulfilled his potential since moving to Newcastle United but he insists he's happy

Newcastle United thought they'd landed one of the hottest young properties in world football when they convinced then-18-year-old Garang Kuol to join the Magpies from Australian side Central Coast Mariners.

Garang Kuol even went to the World Cup with Australia in the summer before joining Newcastle which granted him the visa points needed to play in England.

The plan was always to loan Kuol out somewhere in Europe to give him a taste of football in the northern hemisphere. He went to Hearts in the Scottish Premier League in a move that was widely labelled a disaster.

It was off to the Netherlands the following season for struggling Eredivisie side FC Volandam. Things started well for Kuol there before coming off the rails yet again.

Garang Kuol hit a peach in Newcastle U21s 7-1 win last night

The Aussie wonderkid was due to be loaned out again this season but an injury prevented that from happening. Since recovering, though, Kuol has been in inspired form for the U21s with eight goals in 12 games, which includes two in the U21s 7-1 win over Reading last night, in which Kuol also grabbed an assist.

Speaking about his time at Newcastle, Kuol has chosen to take all the positives he can from his experience so far as he told The Shields Gazette.

“Obviously, when I first came [I was] on loan, straight to Hearts. Again, it was a period full of learning, and people would say it was a bad spell for me, but I think I was able to learn from it, and take a lot of things out of it.

“Then I went on to the Netherlands again on loan, for the season-long loan. I feel like it was very good for me as well, especially the first half of the season when I was playing consistently and training consistently under the coaches that brought me in. It was very good for me.

“And obviously pre-season here with the first team was very good for me. I saw the level that the first team people were at, and just to see it live in the flesh, the work rate and where I got to get to, it was good for me, which brings me to here.

“I enjoy the somewhat quiet city and going to the games [at St James’ Park] as well is very enjoyable, seeing the team play. Just going to training every day, I'm very happy.”

“[My aim this season] is just consistently keep playing games, keep helping the team, and just keep training well every day. If you're training every day consistently and training well, it builds confidence and it makes you more eager to come into training every day with a smile on your face and willingness to work hard.”

Garang Kuol likely has one more season to save his Newcastle career

It's understood that the plan will be to once again try and loan out Garang Kuol next season which is the last of his contract.

His recent form could be giving the club pause for thought now, as before it seemed almost inevitable that the 20-year-old would be released when his contract expires.

A decent season next campaign could save his Newcastle career after proving that he can find the net in recent games.