Elliot Anderson's exciting cameos on the back of a scintillating loan spell have earned the rising star a new long-term contract. Hailed as the brightest talent to emerge from Newcastle United's academy in years, the teenager also looks set to be the centre of an international tug-of-war between England and Scotland.
It was not so long ago another homegrown wonderkid was tipped to become the next first-team star with the Magpies. Matty Longstaff enjoyed the debut every boyhood fan dreams of when he netted the winner against Manchester United in front of the Gallowgate End almost three years ago.
It marked a meteoric rise for the teenager who was lined up for an EFL loan before unexpectedly being thrust into the limelight. Matty would go on to partner his older brother Sean in central midfield for several matches, remaining in and around the squad and scoring against the Red Devils again in the return fixture.
READ MORE: Matty Longstaff quizzed over January plans as Newcastle United crossroad approaches
Fast forward two seasons however, and the once next great hope seemingly looks likely to leave as a free agent next summer. Eddie Howe was said to be in the market for a new central midfielder on deadline day, with Leander Dendoncker and Conor Gallagher both linked.
Neither came through the door, but a potential solution in the shape of the younger Longstaff brother never appears to have been under consideration. The 22-year-old left for a second successive League Two loan, signing for Colchester United until January.
Longstaff's current deal at St James' Park is due to expire at the end of the season, with Howe simply saying the club will 'wait and see' regarding the midfielder's future. But with increasing competition and big ambitions, a parting of ways seems likely for a player who has made just five senior black-and-white outings since 2020.
This was after an uneasy contract extension was agreed after months of speculation. Fresh from his high-profile breakthrough, Longstaff was said to have been tempted by a £30k-per-week offer from Udinese.
Steve Bruce insisted the club had put a 'fantastic' offer on the table, and the youngster actually became a free agent before signing fresh terms. Former Magpies boss Graeme Souness claimed Longstaff had proven he belonged at Premier League level, and Newcastle had avoided the embarrassing loss of one of their brightest stars.
However, the two-year agreement hinted at a tense truce. Longstaff would go on to describe the following season as a 'big learning curve' as the academy graduate spent much of it on the sidelines and out of the limelight.
The young midfielder would impress around the turn of the year with lively performances against Liverpool and Manchester City, only to then drop out of the first-team picture altogether. Injury and weight loss played their part as the midfielder dropped back to the youth ranks for a mini Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.
Bruce urged patience for the young midfielder on the back of a 'big rise', and insisted he still had a 'big future' at the club. Longstaff would then agree a one-year contract extension ahead of an ill-fated loan stint at Aberdeen, where he would make just three starts before being recalled in January.
The academy graduate's suggestion that he struggled to adapt to the Dons' 'long-ball game' raised eyebrows north of the border. A deadline-day switch to Mansfield Town followed, where six goals in 16 appearances ended in playoff final heartbreak at Wembley.
Longstaff was recently asked about his future with a clear crossroads in his fledgling career fast approaching. The 22-year-old insists he is only focused on 'playing a lot of games' and winning at Colchester, before reviewing the current arrangement in the new year.
The prospect of Longstaff's exit a little over two years ago was enough to enrage a fanbase tired of Mike Ashley's tenure. Now, a fresh start next summer seems best for all parties as the young midfielder looks to get his once promising career back on track.
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