Garang Kuol has not even played a game for Newcastle United, but it did not take the 18-year-old long to be recognised after he made his way to his seat in the away end at Craven Cottage earlier this month. In fact, Kuol was mobbed by Geordies before a ball was even kicked that afternoon as the new signing got a little taste of what life on the black-and-white tiger was all about.
It capped a memorable week in a scarcely believable six months for Kuol. The highly-rated forward has made his professional debut for the Central Coast Mariners; scored four goals in nine competitive games for his club without yet making a start; gone viral following his stunning cameo for the A-League All-Stars against Barcelona; and become the youngest player to play for Australia since Harry Kewell. Oh and there is also the small matter of travelling thousands of miles to sign for Newcastle last month. It is the stuff of dreams, particularly when you consider the journey the Kuols have been on after fleeing war-torn South Sudan, via Egypt, to start their new lives in Australia.
Kuol's parents, Mawien and Antonita, ran a dry cleaners in Shepparton and used to wash Goulburn Valley Suns' kits to help pay the $1,600 that enabled four of their sons to train with the National Premier League side when they were starting out. Former Suns coach Craig Carley knows what the family went through more than most.
