Premier League. White presented with Premier League debut ball

joe-white
Published
07 May 24
Team
Men

Newcastle United midfielder Joe White has been presented with a Premier League debut ball after making his English top-flight bow this season.

The 21-year-old, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up in 2016, made his maiden league appearance during United's 2-2 draw at home to AFC Bournemouth in February, featuring as a second-half substitute at St. James' Park before Matt Ritchie's stoppage-time equaliser salvaged a point for the hosts.

White, who hails from Carlisle, spent the first half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Crewe Alexandra before returning from his spell with the League Two outfit in January and has made four Premier League outings for Eddie Howe's side so far this season.

The Academy graduate's achievement was recently recognised by the Premier League as he received a commemorative Debut Ball at the Magpies' Training Centre in Benton.

Introduced in 2015-16, the memento is given to all homegrown debutants who were developed at the academy of a club in English football for three years or more at the time of their first appearance.

White told newcastleunited.com: "It's something you look at others getting when they make their Premier League debuts and what I've wanted to do since joining the club at the age of 13. To finally do it was the ultimate dream for me.

"I've got my family to thank during my school years for bringing me over for training and matches. They have been a massive part in getting me to this stage but to come through and do it with lads I've played with before in Newcastle's Academy was special.

"It's one thing making your debut but I felt coming on when the game was still in the balance was even better. When we scored, we tried to get a third to win the game but, to pull one back as soon I came on, my mind was blown trying to take it all in.

"You always want to do it at home and to come on in front of the St. James' crowd was amazing."

The Cumbrian youngster, who signed a three-year deal with the Magpies in March 2022, recorded three goals and three assists in 25 competitive outings for Crewe earlier this season and, since his return to Tyneside earlier this year, believes his stint with the Railwaymen proved significant in gaining a role within Howe's first-team squad.

The former England under-18 international is keen to play a part in United's push for European qualification as the 2023/24 Premier League season draws to a near conclusion.

"I think my recent loan was the reason I'm back here," White added. "I've got the staff and players at Crewe to thank and doing well on loan got me back in the mix at Newcastle.

"Since I came back, I've tried to train as well as I can and impress the manager, which I feel I have with the appearances I've made.

"We've had a lot of good results in recent weeks and, since coming back, I've noticed a big change and positive ones. We want to carry on and finish the season as strongly as possible. Personally, I want to get as many minutes as possible and try to make an impact."

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