Garang Kuol had interest from other 'massive clubs' but the Australian wonderkid wanted to join Newcastle United as soon as he knew the Magpies were in for him.
That is according to Central Coast Mariners boss Nick Montgomery, who admitted the A-League side will miss the talented 18-year-old most 'as a person' when he moves to Newcastle in January. Kuol has enjoyed a meteoric rise with the Mariners, scoring four goals in his opening seven games for the club, and those performances led to the forward being called up to the A-League All-Stars last May. We all know what happened next; Kuol's stunning cameo against Barcelona went viral and the teenager went on to become the youngest player to ever represent Australia before completing his move to Newcastle just a few days later.
That remarkable journey has been documented by A-Leagues All Access, who capture Kuol's team-mates chanting: 'Toon Army!' at the youngster on his first day back at Central Coast after joining Newcastle. Some of those at the club even nicknamed Kuol 'Santiago' in reference to the lead character in the film 'Goal!'
