Add to Preferred Sources

TMT Academy youngsters Omar Marong and Alieu Saine will undergo trials with Newcastle United and travelled to the UK on Sunday. 

The teenager’s development and potential has seen Newcastle United set their sights on them. Therefore, the Premier League side have decided to invite the duo to the UK for trials.

Both Marong and Saine are products of TMT Academy’s youth system. Their rise has seen them represent Gambia U17s, where they starred for their country at the WAFU A U-17 Tournament in September.

Marong, a 16-year-old midfielder, captained Gambia U17, and Saine starred by scoring four goals in the tournament. The Baby Scorpions won the tournament by defeating Senegal in the final last month.

Duo travelled to Newcastle United on Sunday 

Pair pictured ahead of taking flight on Sunday

Gambian journalist Ebrima KB Sonko took to his Facebook page to report on Omar Marong and Alieu Saine’s trip to England.

He posted a picture of the duo at Gambia’s Banjul International Airport prior to boarding their flight to the UK. Sonko adds that the two youngsters were on their way to England in the early hours of Sunday, local Gambian time.

The midfielder and the forward will undergo a month’s long trial with Newcastle United. The opportunity arouse mainly because of Beyond Borders Agency, who arranged the trial.

Coach Ebrima Sonko, who is also head of Delphlyx Scouting Agency, was the ‘local lead facilitator’. He made this trial possible for the Gambia U17 international duo.

Sonko states: ‘The month-long trial presents an important opportunity for the two TMT talents to take another step in their football development and showcase their abilities on a bigger stage.’ 

Newcastle United and Gambia connection

The Magpies signed Yankuba Minteh from Swedish club Odense Boldklub in 2023. They immediately sent him on loan to Feyenoord, where he excelled.

A year later, Newcastle United sold the Gambia international winger to Brighton & Hove Albion to balance their books. He has excelled at The Amex, attracting concrete interest from Liverpool in the summer, but a move didn’t materialise.

Gambian journalist Foday Manneh told Sport Witness that the Reds could return in January.

Having missed out on Minteh, Newcastle United would like to give Omar Marong and Alieu Saine further opportunities. This will depend mainly on how they perform during their trials.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR