Hong Kong Soccer Sevens - meet the squad

Max Thompson

A representative of England at under-18 level, Thompson joined United’s youth set-up at the age of 11 and signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club in December 2021.

The teenage goalkeeper, who travelled with the Magpies’ first-team squad for February’s Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, has faced competition from fellow shot-stopper Jude Smith for a place in-between the sticks for United’s under-21 side this term, making ten appearances across all competitions for Newcastle’s second-string.

The 18-year-old recorded a clean sheet on his debut for the Young Lions at under-18 level in a 3-0 friendly win against Russia in October 2021.

Alex Murphy

The Irish defender, capable of playing at centre-back or full-back, joined the Magpies in June 2022 from hometown club Galway United.

The highly-rated teenager, who has represented Republic of Ireland at under-19 level as well as captaining his country at under-18 level, joined Galway’s youth set-up at the age of 14 before making his first-team debut for The Tribesmen two years later.

The promising youngster travelled with the Magpies’ senior squad to Saudi Arabia in December before making his first-team bow for United as a late substitute during a 5-0 win against Al-Hilal in Riyadh.

Remi Savage

The physical centre-back arrived at Newcastle’s Academy in the summer of 2021 from boyhood club Liverpool, where he had been since the age of five.

The 21-year-old defender made his under-18s debut for Liverpool under Steven Gerrard and was part of the Reds’ FA Youth Cup winning side during the 2018/19 season before signing his first professional contract in the summer of 2020.

Savage has struggled with an ankle and meniscus injury this season, sidelining him for the majority of the current campaign but returned to playing action for United’s under-21 side in February.

Matt Bondswell

The Nottingham-born left-back, who has represented England from under-15 to under-18 level, arrived at Newcastle’s youth set-up in March 2021 following his departure from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.

Bondswell, who made his professional debut on loan at Dutch second tier side FC Dordrecht, featured for the Magpies’ first-team during pre-season friendlies against Benfica, Atalanta and Athletic Club last summer.

Equipped with rapid pace, he spent eight years at Nottingham Forest’s Academy before departing his hometown club to join Leipzig in the summer of 2018 at the tender age of 16.

Jordan Hackett

After impressing on trial whilst playing for United’s under-21 side, the England under-18 international put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the Magpies last summer.

The Hammersmith-born youngster, who predominantly plays at left-back, was formerly on Tottenham Hotspur’s youth books before his move to Tyneside and made 20 competitive appearances for Newcastle’s second-string this term.

Nathan Carlyon

The central midfielder joined Newcastle’s Academy at the age of eight and signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club in the summer of 2021 after progressing through the Magpies’ youth ranks.

Residing in Stanley, the versatile youngster - who has featured for Newcastle’s under-21 side at full-back - began playing for Beamish Juniors prior to moving to United’s youth set-up.

Nominated for the 2020/21 Under-18 Premier League Goal of the Season following an outstanding long-range lob from inside his own half against Leeds United, Carlyon made the most competitive appearances for Newcastle’s under-21 side this term, with 24 outings.

Jamie Miley

The teenage midfielder signed his first pro deal with his boyhood club last summer, eight years after arriving at the Magpies’ Academy.

The 19-year-old, older brother of Lewis, plays primarily in the middle of the park and scored his first goal at under-21 level in the young Magpies’ 4-1 win at Derby County in April.

The Stanley-born youngster captained Newcastle’s under-18 side during last season’s FA Youth Cup run to the fifth round as well as featuring for the Toon Teenagers during their passage to the quarter-finals the previous term.

James Huntley

One of eight teenagers to sign their first professional contracts last summer, the Ashington-born midfielder has made 20 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies’ under-21 side this term.

Another central midfielder, capable of playing in an attacking role, Huntley played for Blyth Town and Cramlington Juniors before opting to join United’s Academy as an eight-year-old in 2012.

An admirer of Yohan Cabaye growing up, the 19-year-old has frequently trained with the Magpies’ first-team this season.

Amadou Diallo

The 20-year-old winger joined Newcastle’s Academy in October 2022, following a successful trial, and scored three goals and recorded two assists in the young Magpies' final five Premier League 2 fixtures of the 2022/23 campaign.

A representative of England from under-15 to under-17 level, the London-born youngster was on West Ham United’s books at youth level before his move to St. James’ Park.

Michael Ndiweni

The Throckley-born striker, who joined Newcastle’s Academy from Newcastle City Juniors in 2016, scored four goals for United’s under-21 side across all competitions this term.

Ndiweni, who made his debut for Newcastle’s second-string at the age of 16, scored 14 goals in 19 matches for the Magpies’ under-18s side in 2021/22 along with enetting against League Two Mansfield Town in the Papa John’s Trophy group stages.

The 19-year-old will likely lead the line for Newcastle’s youngsters in Hong Kong, aiming to follow in the footsteps of former Magpies forward Elias Sørensen, who won the Hong Kong Citi Soccer Sevens Player of the Tournament award after scoring four times as the young Magpies defended their title in 2019.

Top row (left to right): James Huntley, Remi Savage, Max Thompson, Alex Murphy and Jordan Hackett

Bottom row (left to right): Amadou Diallo, Matt Bondswell, Nathan Carlyon, Michael Ndiweni and Jamie Miley