Ginger Geordie in Europe

Campbell makes Toon bow

Newcastle United’s first appearance in a European competition in six years allowed manager Alan Pardew to field a second string team, offering the chance for several fringe players to try and prove their worth in the black and white. New signing Vurnon Anita made his first start, after appearing as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspurs at the weekend. As well as Anita, fellow new signings Gael Bigirimana and Romain Amalfitano made their debuts in Greece. The most notable debut however, is that of Adam Campbell. The seventeen year old became the youngest Newcastle player to appear in a European competition, beating the record held by former number 9 Andy Carroll by 64 days.

The young Geordie scored a fantastic hat trick against Tottenham U-18’s in the Development League, which likely booked his place as part of Pardew’s side against the side that finished fourth in Greece’s top division, Atromitos. Campbell made his debut for the Newcastle senior side as a late substitute for current number 9 Papiss Cisse. The young forward is highly rated by the staff at Newcastle United, and already comparisons are being made with the Magpie’s record signing Michael Owen.

Adam Campbell hails from North Shields, and is a graduate of the famous Wallsend Boy’s club , which has produced notable football players including Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and Michael Carrick. The short centre forward is being compared with the Chester born hot shot that made his England debut at just 18 years old, Michael Owen being the youngest player to play for England in the twentieth century. Owen had an incredible career, starting out from Liverpool, and briefly for Spanish giants Real Madrid. After his short spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, Owen moved to the Toon for a club record £16.8m, and this is the player that young Campbell is being compared too. Whilst Owen’s time on Tyneside was far from what was expected, if Adam Campbell can prove he has the kind of ability that the former Liverpool striker shown in his younger days, then he is bound to be an incredible prospect for Alan Pardew, as he leads the Magpie’s Campaign into Europe.