One of Newcastle United's top academy prospects, Tom Allan, has joined League One side Accrington Stanley on a season-long loan.
Allan is yet to feature in the Premier League for The Magpies, but did feature in an FA Cup tie this season.
The 20-year-old got an assist on his first-team debut, in a cameo appearance at St James' Park where he set up a goal for Joelinton in a 4-1 win over Rochdale.
Allan finished last season as The Toon's top goalscorer at under-23 level, netting 17 goals in all competitions before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ashington-born forward joined Newcastle in 2012 and has trained regularly with the first-team this season - as well as being named among the substitutes for four top-flight games.
It is hoped that this loan move to League One is as successful for Tom Allan as it was for Newcastle midfielder Dan Barlaser - who spent last season on loan at Rotherham and is set to be apart of Steve Bruce's first-team squad next season.
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Allan: 'I can't wait to get started'
After the loan move was finalised, Allan said: "I can’t wait to get started, now is the time to make the step up and get some games under my belt in league football.
"Hopefully, I can keep progressing and keep up the goalscoring from last season.
"When I first heard Accrington were interested, I did speak to Dan Barlaser and he couldn’t speak highly enough of the club, it’s a great set up and great set of lads and the manager was keen so it was perfect really.
"I rely on raw pace, I like getting in behind, running at people, I scored quite a few goals last year and hopefully I can do that this year and add to the team."
🔴 Welcome to pacey forward @Tom_Allan99 who has joined on a season long loan from @NUFC #ASFC pic.twitter.com/u0Bes9kSgC
— Accrington Stanley FC (@ASFCofficial) August 13, 2020
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Accrington boss says Allan will 'excite the fans'
Accrington manager John Coleman said: "Tom is very quick and energetic and will excite the fans and the type of football we want to play this season is going to be very high energy, high octane, and he ticks all the boxes.
"He is a great lad as well, everyone speaks highly of him and hopefully he will hit the ground running.
"We have started to build a good relationship with Newcastle United and hopefully he can have the same success that Dan Barlaser had here.
"This is a chance for him to kick start his career and play proper men’s football."