Kacey Wooster, Henry Johnson, Guy Bloomer and Jake Durrant have all agreed maiden pro deals after progressing through the club's youth ranks and will link up with Robbie Stockdale's U21 squad for the new campaign.
Wooster is a striker who finished as the club's top goalscorer at under-18 level last term, scoring ten times in the U18 Premier League North.
The Romford-born teenager, who joined Newcastle from Southend United as a 15-year-old, made his full debut for the Magpies' U21s side during October's Premier League 2 visit of Tottenham Hotspur as well as scoring in the UEFA Youth League against FC Barcelona. The 18-year-old forward is hopeful of following in Sean Neave's footsteps, who made his first-team bow during pre-season before making his UEFA Champions League and Premier League debut during the second-half of the previous campaign.
"It's a really good opportunity," Wooster told newcastleunited.com. "It was a proud moment for him to make his debut in the Premier League and Champions League but it also shows those at the Academy that there is a pathway to the first-team.
"It's a good feeling to sign my first professional contract and a proud moment for me and my family but hopefully it's just the start of a good career.
"Newcastle had that belief in me when I signed from Southend at 15. Now, it's just repaying the favour and performing on the pitch.
"As a player, I feel every aspect of my game has improved in the last three years. As a person, I feel more confident and I've settled in really well. It was a big gamble when I was younger but now it's all paid off and everything is aligning for me. "Last season was great for me, getting the experience of playing for the under-21s and in the UEFA Youth League but now it's about pushing on and becoming a regular for the under-21s."
Johnson is a defender, capable of playing as a centre-back or full-back, who joined United's youth set-up at under-10 level. The Newbottle-born youngster captained Newcastle's U18s side for a number of league fixtures last season, with the Toon teenagers claiming a third-place finish in the U18 Premier League North. Johnson, who made his first start at U21 level during March's Premier League 2 clash away at Nottingham Forest, said: "It means everything, especially when you're at the Academy for a long time and having to go through different decisions and moments. "It means a lot when you've put all the effort and hard work in behind the scenes. It feels like a reward and also makes me want to push on further and get where I think I'm capable of. It's a great opportunity and an exciting place to be. "The experience I had with the under-21s at the end of last season gave me a taste, getting to know Robbie [Stockdale] and the coaching staff. It's good I was being pushed, going up an age group, and it gave me the self belief that this is where I should be. "I'm looking forward to playing against senior teams in the EFL Trophy or National League Cup. If you can play men's football and deal with the standards and challenges that brings, you have the best chance of having a good career in the game. "I back myself to do that physically but also mentally and those opportunities could give me a chance to prove to everyone around me that I can play at that level."
Bloomer is a right-back who made his competitive U21s debut at the age of 16 during an EFL Trophy clash against League One side Bradford City. The Prudhoe-born youngster, who joined the club's Academy as an eight-year-old suffered a hamstring injury which left the versatile defender sidelined for three months but expressed his delight in overcoming adversity before signing a first pro deal with his boyhood club.
"It was a difficult time because it was coming up towards the end of the season, with some big games in that period of time for the under-18s. To see the lads out on the pitch and not play myself was really tough.
"I was able to work hard in the gym when I was injured which was a good thing, focussing on a different aspect of my game and building my strength.
"It's an unbelievable feeling (to sign my first professional contract). It's great to see all the hard work I've put in over the years, especially the last two of my scholarship, has all paid off.
"It's great that my first professional contract is with the team I grew up supporting my whole life.
"Being able to watch world class full-backs such as Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, especially how good they are going forward, is useful to compare my own game to theirs."
Durrant is a left-back who joined the Magpies' youth set-up at the age of eight and is looking to take encouragement from defensive duo Alex Murphy and Leo Shahar, who both featured in the Champions League last season after progressing through the club's Academy. The teenage defender, who hails from Wallsend, is also relishing the step in moving from under-18s to under-21s football as he targets a debut at second-string level for his boyhood club.
The 18-year-old said: "Alex and Leo are both huge inspirations at the Academy and I'd like to follow in their footsteps. I've trained with Leo a few times and his professional behaviours around the building are always top.
"It's a massive achievement both as a person and my family. I've been at the club for ten years now so it makes it even more rewarding than what it already is. I'm over the moon and I can't wait to get going.
"It's the big milestone. You go through the age groups and then sign your scholarship but to reach the pro stage is a massive moment. To sign the contract with my boyhood club, who I've watched growing up, is a big achievement in my life.
"It's a big jump from under-18s to under-21s football as I've been told by the coaches. I need to be ready for that but I feel like I am. I'm very excited to be playing under-21s football."
Academy Director Steve Harper added: "This is a really proud achievement for the four lads. Kacey, Henry, Guy and Jake have shown a real willingness to keep improving and seeing them reach this stage means a lot to everyone at the Academy.
“A first professional contract is a big moment, but it’s one they’ve earned through the standards they set every single day. We’re excited for what’s ahead and delighted to see their hard work recognised."
