Anthony Munda became the first of Newcastle United’s Under‑21 squad to head out on loan earlier this week when he joined League Two side Swindon Town on a season‑long agreement. The move is part of a broader strategy to give the club’s young midfielders senior experience.
Just 12 months ago, Sean Neave and Leo Shahar attracted interest from clubs across the English Football League. Newcastle retained them and allowed them to train with the first‑team squad to monitor their progress. Both players made brief competitive senior debuts in the Champions League play‑off tie with Qarabag before featuring for Robbie Stockdale’s Under‑21s during the final months of the season.
During the pre‑season, Neave and Shahar appeared in the first‑team’s schedule and now face a similar decision as the competitive season approaches. They are highly rated by the Newcastle hierarchy but lack consistent game time at senior level. An extended stay in the Under‑21s would not accelerate their development.
Interest from EFL clubs has grown over the last season, with scouts from the Championship, League One and League Two monitoring their progress. That interest remains very much alive, and it would not be a surprise if Newcastle were to receive offers from clubs looking to take Neave and Shahar on loan over the next two weeks.
Other young players have also featured in the summer. Trevan Sanusi, who struggled in a loan spell with Lorient last season, returned to Newcastle’s Under‑21s and scored three goals in three games. He also recorded a goal and an assist in a National League Cup defeat to Tamworth.
Matheos Ferreira, a versatile teenager who can represent England, Brazil and Italy, impressed last season with a hat‑trick in an FA Youth Cup win over Portsmouth and another hat‑trick against Aston Villa at Under‑21 level. He has appeared in first‑team friendlies against Gateshead and Bristol City, expressing a desire to make a Premier League debut for his boyhood club.
Meanwhile, Antonio Cordero rejoined Cadiz on a season‑long loan and has made an immediate impact, scoring free‑kicks in back‑to‑back pre‑season games and playing the full 90 minutes of Cadiz’s opening Segunda Liga match against Celta Vigo II.
Former Newcastle Academy defender Joe Oliver has joined Hebburn Town, where he has started all three fixtures in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. Oliver, who works as a community coach with the Newcastle United Foundation, praised the club’s environment and said he has "found a home".
The next two weeks could see offers for Neave and Shahar from Championship clubs, potentially setting the stage for a new generation of Newcastle talent to gain the senior experience they need.
