Sam Alabi signs first professional deal with Newcastle

The Sam Alabi professional deal is done at Newcastle United: the Manchester-born midfielder signed his first senior contract on his 17th birthday, 9 July 2026. He joined the Magpies' academy from Oldham Athletic and has already captained England at under-17 level while earning first-team matchday squad places last season.

The club confirmed the move as Alabi turned 17, formalising the progress of a central midfielder who trained with Eddie Howe's senior squad on multiple occasions during 2025/26. His pathway through Newcastle's academy and early exposure to competitive football helped convince him to commit his future to St James' Park.

Key Takeaways

• Sam Alabi signed his first professional contract with Newcastle United on 9 July 2026, his 17th birthday.
• He joined from Oldham Athletic as a 14-year-old and has captained England at under-17 level.
• At 16, he was named in first-team matchday squads for a Champions League tie at Marseille and three further competitive fixtures.
• A shin injury in January ended his 2025/26 season early, but he had already made his under-21s debut in the EFL Trophy.
• Alabi says he wants to push for a senior debut in the 2026/27 campaign.

Who is Sam Alabi?

Alabi was born in Manchester and moved to Newcastle's academy from Oldham Athletic in July 2023 after turning 14. The Mag describe him as a highly rated central midfielder who made his first start for United's under-21s in November's EFL Trophy clash against Harrogate Town.

On the international stage, Alabi has captained England at under-17 level. Despite his age, he bonded quickly with senior players after being invited into first-team training, and he says he speaks regularly with Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey for advice.

Why does this professional deal matter for Newcastle?

For Newcastle, tying Alabi to a professional contract secures a homegrown talent who has already tasted elite-level football. He was named in a senior matchday squad for the first time during the club's UEFA Champions League clash away at Olympique de Marseille last season, then featured on the bench for three further competitive fixtures as a 16-year-old.

Reports also note squad involvement in Premier League matches against Manchester United and Burnley, plus a substitute appearance in January's FA Cup third-round win over Bournemouth on penalties. Academy Director Steve Harper said Alabi "embraced every challenge" since joining and praised his development and international recognition.

What comes next for Alabi after his pro contract?

Alabi told the club's website the academy pathway and first-team opportunities convinced him to sign. "It's a very good moment," he said. "It shows my sacrifice, hard work and levels of dedication that I've been putting into this. I know this is just the start and there's more to achieve."

A shin injury in January cut short his breakthrough season, but Alabi is targeting a return for 2026/27. "As the season starts, I want to kick on, push into the first team and make my debut," he said. "If it wasn't for my injury last season, I believe I could've done that so, this season, I know I have to push."

For more rising-star updates, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage. Full details are on Newcastle United's official site.