Since signing for Newcastle in September 2022, the Shepparton round ball revelation has had scarce opportunities to impress for the English Premier League giant.
On Friday, Kuol put that to bed.
Suiting up for the Magpies’ under-21s against Southampton in the Premier League Two, the 20-year-old levelled proceedings with a 13th-minute strike to cancel the Saints’ early opener.
Kuol danced around his man at the top of the box before sending a low drive beyond goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and he nearly had another shortly after if not for a fine save from the Saints custodian.
A goal from the former Goulburn Valley Sun wasn’t enough to secure Newcastle victory as Southampton clinched a 4-2 win, but it does blow wind onto the sparking flame of a potential career revival.
It might even be enough to make Newcastle boss Eddie Howe think again.
Speaking last week with media outlet The Northern Echo, Howe voiced his stance about Kuol’s situation when quizzed about what lies ahead of the youngster.
“I'm not sure. That will depend on physical things and how Garang is,” Howe said.
“I know he's working really hard and we've seen him a few times when we've involved the (under-21s) in our training.
“He's a great lad who wants to do well and is very ambitious, so let's see what's next for him.”
Kuol has been contracted to Newcastle for more than two years, but his career witnessed an unfortunate dip after rough loan spells in Scotland and the Netherlands.
The Shepparton forward is chasing a big individual season to secure a new contract or potential move away, with his deal lasting until July 2026.
He isn’t the only member of his family hitting headlines — or the back of the net — either.
Older brother Alou drilled home his third goal of the season for Central Coast Mariners on Friday, thrashing a 14th-minute effort across the goalkeeper during his side’s 3-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League Men.
Kuol almost had a second midway through the second half, with a flashed header bouncing onto the crossbar only for the Mariners to score in the resulting phase.
Finally, a fellow GV Suns academy graduate has also been in the goals in recent weeks.
Finley product Leia Varley ended 2024 on a high, scoring her first A-League Women’s goal for Brisbane Roar during an 8-2 rout over Western United on December 29.
