Newcastle United official announcement – Three teenagers agree first professional contracts | OneFootball

Newcastle United have revealed that three young players have now signed their first professional contracts with the club.

Having made progress through the NUFC Academy, putting pen to paper are Joe Brayson, Luke Craggs and Logan Watts.

An official Newcastle United announcement (see below) making public the news on Tuesday (1 July 2025).

Good luck to all three teenagers and here’s hoping that in the future we see all of the trio turning out for the United first team.

Newcastle United official announcement – 1 July 2025:

‘Teenage trio Joe Brayson, Luke Craggs and Logan Watts have all put pen to paper on their first professional contracts with Newcastle United.

All boyhood supporters of the Magpies, Brayson, Craggs and Watts have agreed full-time deals after progressing through the club’s Little Benton Academy.

Brayson, who joined Newcastle’s youth set-up in 2015, is a striker who enjoyed a goal-laden campaign last term after scoring 14 times, finishing as the top goalscorer at under-18 level in the process.

The Walker-born youngster recorded ten goals and six assists in 19 Under-18 Premier League fixtures last term along with scoring three times in the Premier League 2 for the Magpies’ Under-21s side.

The 18-year-old forward’s positive performances have resulted in a maiden pro deal, following in the footsteps of his father Paul, who also began his career at Newcastle United before featuring for the likes of Reading, Cardiff City and Cheltenham Town.

Brayson told newcastleunited.com: “My dad has played a massive part because he’s went through the same journey as me so to follow in his footsteps is unbelievable and I’m buzzing.

“Signing a professional contract is what I’ve been working for and it’s a good step forward.

“I think I did quite well last season, getting a lot of goal contributions. I was pleased to get a lot of assists, too, and I was involved with the under-21s which is what I wanted to do.

“It’s good getting pushed up the age groups and then being able to score goals for them was great. Hopefully, I can do the same next season.”

Craggs is a defender who won the club’s 2024/25 Scholar of the Year award, which recognises one scholar from each Premier League club who has excelled across all aspects of the programme, both on and off the pitch, serving as a role model to their peers through a positive, professional attitude and application.

The Gateshead-born teenager said: “I was buzzing to even get my scholarship so to be nominated as the best in the club’s group for how I am as a person, both on and off the pitch, means a lot.

“I really appreciated all the staff who nominated myself as I was proud of the fact that they valued me as a person and how I applied myself in the education side of the scholarship.

“It’s a proud moment because I’ve been a Newcastle fan ever since I was born so it’s great to get a contract because that’s what I’ve been working towards, but especially to get it at Newcastle. That’s the big part of it as I’ve followed them since I was little.

“It hasn’t hit me yet but it’ll be something that I will look back on when I’m older with pride that I’ve played for Newcastle as a pro.”

Watts, who joined the Magpies’ youth set-up in 2018, is a defender capable of playing as a full-back or centre-back who made his full debut at under-21 level during a 4-1 win against Stoke City in February.

The 18-year-old, who hails from North Shields, is relishing the prospect of competing in the UEFA Youth League with his hometown club.

The teenager said: “I missed out on it a couple of years ago but I made sure to train harder so I’m hoping to be a part of it this time. Playing against teams you won’t be usually face will be a good test for everyone.

“I was over the moon (to sign a first professional contract) because, ever since I joined the club at under-12 level, that’s what I’ve been aiming for.

“Once I got a scholarship, I was pushing for that pro contract and then when I signed it, I was delighted.