Newcastle have earmarked Cessnock junior Blake Archbold as a player of the future, signing the youth team striker to a scholarship contract.
The 19-year-old has made two appearances in the A-League off the bench, in the 2-1 loss to Wanderers and 2-1 win over Wellington, after joining the top squad in pre-season. A Jets academy player since under-12s, Archbold was thrilled to gain an upgrade for this season and the next under coach Craig Deans.
"It's been a great experience and a good opportunity as well, coming in with Deansy," Archbold said.
"I've known Deansy for a while and I think he and [youth coach Daniel McBreen] Macca have been great mentors for me through the academy.
"I've had a couple of niggling injuries but they told me to keep at it, keep up the hard work, get into the gym, the rehab, and this is where I've ended up, so I'm pretty stoked."
Archbold, whose younger brothers Dominic and Oscar are in the Jets academy, was keen this year to earn more chances.
"A few games more off the bench would be good," he said. "I would love the opportunity for that, but I've just got to keep working hard."
