Aarons - The Kids Are Alright At United

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Rolando Aarons believes Newcastle United is now a great Club for young players to make a name for themselves.

In years gone by, Academy products have often found it difficult to make the breakthrough at St. James' Park but, having watched Paul Dummett establish himself as a regular first-team player over the past few seasons, Aarons is hoping to do the same after signing a new five-year contract on Wednesday evening.

The England under-20 international first arrived at Little Benton four years ago as a 16-year-old, working with the likes of Joe Joyce, Dave Watson and Peter Beardsley at youth and development levels before signing his first professional deal in April 2014.

A Premier League debut against Manchester City followed a few months later and since then he's made 17 appearances for the Magpies, scoring three goals. And he's aiming to make many more under Rafa Benitez after extending his stay on Tyneside until the summer of 2021.

"Under the new manager, there's a project and it's a forward-thinking Club now," Aarons told nufcTV.

"I'm just happy to be part of what the manager has in store for the Club and I'm happy that he has faith in me.

"I wouldn't have committed if I didn't feel as if I was going to get a chance and I'm excited for the project.

"I can't wait to get out there and play, and not be thought of as a 'young player' but actually as a senior player.

"Sometimes I forget my age myself and I'm my biggest critic at times. But people around me remind me that I'm not going to be the finished product at 20 years old and I need to keep working hard. It's in my nature to do so.

"It seems like I've been around for a long time but hopefully I will be for a lot more years to come."

England under-19 international goalkeeper Freddie Woodman signed a new contract at St. James' Park earlier this month while Adam Armstrong and Jamie Sterry were both part of Benitez's squad against Fulham last Friday night.

They all played with Aarons for United's under-18 side, featuring in Newcastle's run to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup in 2013/14 and the final of the Milk Cup in 2012, and Aarons admitted that it feels like the group have been on a journey together - and one that shows no sign of stopping soon.

"We talk about it a bit and it almost feels as if we're more of a family because we've come through the stages together and we've seen each other develop," he smiled.

"It's good to have that relationship with your team-mates and we've got that having come through the youth system together, so it's good."

You can watch the full nufcTV interview with Rolando Aarons here