Newcastle United Complete Double Raid on Rangers as Oliver Goodbrand Joins Academy
Newcastle United have continued their investment in youth by securing the signature of highlyโrated leftโback OliverโฏGoodbrand from Rangers. The 16โyearโold defender is set to join Newcastleโs academy ahead of the 2025โ26 campaign, following fellow Scottish prospect Alfie Hutchison in what is shaping up to be a double raid on the Ibrox side .
Goodbrand rejected the opportunity to sign professional terms with Rangers this summer, instead choosing to pursue his development in England. Although no transfer fee was involved, Newcastle will pay training and development compensation to the Glasgow club .
Profile: A Promising Young FullโBack
A leftโfooted defender, Goodbrand made his debut for Rangers B at just 15 and has captained Scotland at youth level, including the underโ16 Victory Shield . Known for his composure and maturity on the ball, he is highly rated for his defensive awareness and ability to contribute to attack from fullโback. Reports suggest he has also drawn interest from clubs outside the UK, underscoring his burgeoning reputation .
Medical and Academy Integration
Newcastle insiders report that Goodbrand recently travelled to Tyneside for a medical and is expected to be integrated into the Underโ18 setup. From there, progression to the Underโ21s could come swiftly, mirroring the pathway recently paved by Alfie Hutchison .
The move reflects Newcastleโs broader strategic shift under their new ownership. With a focus on academy investment and longโterm player development, the club has actively recruited from Scotlandโjoining others like Hutchisonโto enrich their youth ranks .
Strategic Context: A Youth Movement
This recruitment campaign aligns with Newcastleโs push to balance Premier League squad building with sustainable growth through young talent. By attracting gifted teenagers like Goodbrand and Hutchison, the club hopes to emulate academies such as Manchester City and Chelseaโproducing firstโteam players or profitable sales .
Moreover, participation in competitions like the UEFA Youth League offers these players topโlevel exposure and competitive growthโan appealing prospect when evaluating potential moves .
Whatโs Next
All eyes will be on Tyneside this summer to see how Goodbrand settles into life in Newcastle. Should his development follow the upward trajectory anticipated, he could become a key asset for Eddie Howeโs youth system and perhapsโeven more ambitiouslyโthe senior squad in years to come.
This transfer underscores Newcastleโs ambition to build a robust academy pipeline, leveraging cross-border scouting and investment in youth as a cornerstone of their longโterm footballing strategy.