Teenager Sean Neave Celebrates with Newcastle United After Historic Cup Win

WEMBLEY, England — At just 17 years old, Sean Neave is already a part of Newcastle United history. On March 16, 2025, he stood on the sidelines as Newcastle lifted the Carabao Cup after a 2-1 victory over Liverpool. This moment came just three months before his 18th birthday, marking a remarkable start to a career that has yet to see him play in a first-team match.

Neave, a lifelong Newcastle fan, experienced an unprecedented rise to prominence. The club had not won a major domestic trophy in 70 years, and their history with knockout competitions has been tumultuous. Yet here was Neave, glancing upward as club CEO Darren Eales raised the trophy with a gold medal hanging around his neck.

“It’s been my dream to play for Newcastle,” Neave shared after signing his first professional contract last July. Even though he has yet to step onto the pitch in a league match, the young player has already made an impression on his coaches and teammates.

“For Sean to be involved in the cup win as an under-18 was incredible,” said Steve Harper, Newcastle’s academy director. Harper noted that while Neave is still young, he has shown great potential, and the club hopes he continues to develop.

Neave’s path to the first team began when he caught the eye of manager Eddie Howe during training. “He’s a goalscorer,” Howe said in April. “He pops up with a goal, which is a great skill to have.” Just six months earlier, Neave was still playing with the Under-18s.

His progression has been swift; he skipped the under-21s and began training alongside established players like Alexander Isak. “In six months Sean’s gone from being an under-18 to competing day in, day out with a world-class striker,” noted Diarmuid O’Carroll, the under-21s coach.

Though Neave has shown promise with impressive performances in youth competitions, his coaches remain cautious. Chris Moore, the under-18s coach, pointed out that with the elite competition at the senior level, Neave must mature quickly.

In the past year, Neave has undergone significant development. An individual plan was created to outline his strengths and weaknesses, and over the past season, he scored 19 goals while playing primarily as a striker.

Harper recalled moments that boosted Neave’s confidence, such as scoring six goals in a school match. “He really started to believe in himself after that,” Atkinson, head of player development, added.

Neave made his England Under-17 debut against Norway in October 2023, later representing the under-18s against Poland and Germany. His impressive technical abilities helped him shine in the UEFA Youth League, where he scored against Borussia Dortmund.

Coaches describe Neave’s adaptability and intelligence on the pitch as key assets. “He has a knack for scoring goals,” Atkinson said. “When he goes in on goal, you have a confidence he’ll score.”

As a player still maturing at just 17, Neave has work to do on his mentality and emotional control during matches. “He has to learn how to channel that edge he has,” Atkinson explained.

As the season advances, Neave’s situation will be closely monitored. He has been involved in several senior matches as an unused substitute, suggesting that his opportunities may soon increase. “He’s in no better environment to develop,” O’Carroll said.

With potential loan opportunities on the horizon, the upcoming months will be crucial for Neave as he strives to become a regular in Newcastle’s first team. “If he blows the doors off in preseason, he’s not going to go anywhere,” O’Carroll added. “He’s going to be pushing for games for the first team.”