Teenager White "delighted" to follow in grandfather's footsteps and become professional footballer

The Cumbrian midfielder agreed terms with the Magpies shortly after celebrating his 17th birthday last month, having already trained with Steve Bruce's first team squad and broken into the under-23s team this term.

His granddad, Peter Hampton, played for Don Revie's Leeds United in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as playing more than 100 games each for Stoke City and Burnley, and was at St. James' Park as White put pen to paper in the boardroom.

And the teenager told nufc.co.uk: "With my grandad being a professional footballer, he's been a massive part in helping me to achieve this first professional contract.

"But both grandads, and my dad especially, have been quick to tell me what I haven't done so well every week - but they're also supportive and watch my games, whether it's online or coming to the games, and everyone's been supportive of me.

"They've (dad Jamie and mum Fiona) had to take me (to and from training from the family home in Carlisle) four times a week, sometimes more, for the past four years so that's how much I've needed them to get this far, and I'm so grateful to them.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have signed. It's something I've been aiming to achieve since I've been here at Newcastle and it's something I've worked extremely hard for as well. And it's a proud moment for my family as well - they've done so much for me and I'm so grateful to them for that."

White has been a standout performer for United's under-18 side this term, including scoring a late winner for the Magpies' under-18s in September's 2-1 Tyne-Wear derby win over Sunderland, and has made five appearances for Neil Redfearn's under-23s as well as two appearances in the Leasing.com Trophy.

The former Trinity School pupil started playing for two boys clubs in Carlisle before joining Carlisle United at the age of eight. When he was 13, he was invited for a two-week trial at Newcastle United, and joined the Magpies in 2016. Impressing through the age groups, he was offered a scholarship in the summer.

In August, he scored four times as Newcastle reached the final of the SuperCupNI - formerly the Milk Cup - in Northern Ireland.

"Obviously we were all gutted to get beat in the final against Valencia, but we played well all tournament and it's always a great experience to play against teams from all over the world," he said. "And playing every day, with lots of minutes, stood us in good stead for the season."

White's form has seen him train with the first team on more than one occasion, and the teenager admitted: "When I first got told at the Academy that I was with the first team, I was quite nervous having to walk (about 200 yards) over from the Academy to the training ground.

"I was ten minutes early, as well, so I was stood there waiting for all of them to come out!

"But all the players were good with me; they were supportive and introduced themselves before the session started, which certainly helped me settle into the training group, and I think I've done well in the times I've been with them."

His competitive debut for the under-23s came as a second-half substitute at Whitley Park against West Ham's second-string in August and White explained: "As I've moved up age groups in the past, with Carlisle and with Newcastle, I've found the quality is better - it's faster and more physical, so I did expect that.

"One of my targets for the season was to get as many appearances with the under-23s as possible, so hopefully if I adapt to the physicality and the quickness then I can get more opportunities with them."

His performances have not only made head coach Bruce demand a closer look at the 6ft 1ins playmaker; they have also led to media interest, with The Guardian naming him as a potential star of the future last month.

This is White's first ever interview, and he admits that he is still getting used to seeing his name in print so often.

"I've noticed articles and things on social media, and it's nice to see, but I don't get too carried away and concentrate on working as hard as I can in training and try to impress every week," he said. "Obviously I'm nervous with my first (interview), but hopefully as I progress more in the future it'll become easier."

He has little to be nervous about in that regard - he speaks well - but White knows he does still have some improvements to make on the pitch.

"I think my main strengths are my dribbling and passing range. I'm a creative player who loves to help the team with both goals and assists. I still know I need to work on every aspect of my game, and I work as hard as I can in training to do so, but heading especially is something I'd like to work on and hopefully if I focus on trying better improve myself in this, I can better myself as a player," he said.

"I spoke with my under-18s manager Neil Winskill in Spain (in pre-season) about the targets I'd set for the season, and ten goals and ten assists for whoever I'm playing for was one of them. I've got seven goals and five assists already, so hopefully I can surpass that.

"I'd also like to get a good run with the under-18s in the FA Youth Cup this year, and just to try to get as many opportunities as possible training with the first team as well.

"With Matty and Sean Longstaff both coming from the Academy and both being central midfielders like me, it gives me great confidence that if I keep working hard and keep continuing to develop as a player, then anything is possible."