Confirmed: Newcastle announce January deal for 'tricky' winger

ALEX GILLIEAD has agreed a new deal with Newcastle keeping him at the club until 2018, the club have confirmed.

 

Alex Gilliead has signed a new deal with Newcastle until 2018

 

Gilliead has been on loan at Carlisle this season, scoring three times in 20 appearances for the League Two side.

The 19-year-old put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him on Tyneside until at least 2018 - with the option of an extra year.

And the England U20 international believes his stint in the Football League has earned him the new deal at St James'.

RECKON YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE FA CUP? GET YOUR BETTING HEAD ON IN OUR PREDICTOR GAME TO WIN A SAMSUNG TV OR A PS4

 

“I’m over the moon, Newcastle is my boyhood club – I’ve always wanted to play for them and always will want to play for them," he said.

"As soon as I knew they wanted to offer me a new contract, I jumped at it.

“I’ve grown up a lot over the last few months at Carlisle and I think the loan has really helped me to get into this position.”

 

And manager Steve McClaren has been full of praise for the young England hopeful, predicting he will have a bright future in the game.

“Alex is a tricky wide player, someone who is very direct and is doing very well at Carlisle United," he added.

“He has chosen the right career path by going on loan, impressing and earning a new contract. He is a player with a good future.”