County bolster scoring options with teenage strikers joining on loan
NEWPORT County did some useful deadline day business with teenagers Charlie McNeill and Calum Kavanagh arriving on loan deals until the end of the season.
McNeill, a 19-year-old forward, arrived from Premier League giants Manchester United.
After impressing at youth level, McNeill has put pen to paper on his first move into senior, professional football.
After scoring over 600 goals for Manchester City age group sides, McNeill moved to the red side of Manchester and scored 24 goals in 21 games in the Under-18 Premier League, which included a fourgoal haul against former club City.
The following season saw him net 17 times in 32 games across five competitions for Man United’s youth sides – Premier League Two, the Under-18 Premier League, the FA Youth Cup, the UEFA Youth League and the EFL Trophy.
This campaign, he has scored three goals in five games in the EFL Trophy, including a penalty against Newport’s next opponents Barrow, as well as strikes at Carlisle and League One Fleetwood.
McNeill also earned his firstteam Manchester United debut in September as he played the final seven minutes of the Red Devils’ Europa League game at home to La Liga outfit Real Sociedad.
In addition, he has four England Under-16 caps to his name, scoring once.
On joining the Exiles, McNeill said: “I’m really proud and honoured to be representing this club.
“I know it’s a big club and a family-based club and I’m just really happy to be here.
“The gaffer made me feel really comfortable as soon as I spoke to him, he was really nice, he really sold it to me.
“I can’t wait to meet the lads, get training and hopefully play on Saturday.”
Fellow sktriker Kavanagh, also 19, joins the Exiles from Championship side Middlesbrough.
After scoring six goals in 13 games in the Under-18 Premier League, he signed professional terms at the Riverside in 2020.
His first professional season at Boro led to a successful season of 13 goals in 20 Under-18 Premier League matches as well as two in three in Premier League Two and three in three in the FA Youth Cup.
Last season Kavanagh, son of former Cardiff City captain Graham, bagged six goals in as many games in Premier League 2 as well as five in four in the Under-18 Premier League which earned him a January move to Harrogate Town where he scored once in 12 games.
His fine goalscoring carried on into this campaign with a further seven goals from 11 matches in PL2.
He also has four Republic of Ireland Under-17 caps under his belt, scoring once.
On making the move to Newport, Kavanag said: “I’m delighted to get the move over the line, I’ve been wanting to get a loan this window and this managed to come around so I’m really happy.”