Some Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media in reply to Ludwig Francillette, after the youth defender shared that he has joined the first-team in training at Darsley Park.
Francillette moved to the North East last summer following a trial appearance in our Under 23s against Hibernian, having represented St. Mirren in a pre-season match against Stenhousemuir only a few days before.
The 20-year-old has since impressed the club in our youth set-up at Little Benton, and was in line for a potential senior debut last weekend during the FA Cup Third Round tie with Rochdale – though he did not feature in Steve Bruce’s 18-man squad.
Will Francillette make his senior debut this season?
Yes
No
But Francillette has now joined Bruce and the senior fold for training, and has shared on Twitter that he aims to use his chance as a learning opportunity and to be ready should the boss ever need his services.
“Made the walk across to train with the 1st team,” he wrote. “It’s just great to learn and improve around such good players and great pros. I’ll keep working hard to be called upon if and when needed in training”
Made the walk across to train with the 1st team. It’s just great to learn and improve around such good players and great pros. I’ll keep working hard to be called upon if and when needed in training ⚫⚪ ♥️#nufc♥️ pic.twitter.com/cIkQMQMVMB
— Ludwig Francillette (@Ludwigfranci23) January 7, 2020
Francillette’s first three appearances with our academy would have served as a sharp wake up call to life in England for the 6 ft 4 centre-half, having played in the 3-0 Leasing.com Trophy defeat to Shrewsbury, on a freezing night against Sunderland and in a feisty encounter with Middlesbrough.
The former Guadeloupe youth international has since faced Port Vale in the Leasing.com Trophy, and defended against Aston Villa, Stoke City and West Ham United in the Premier League 2.
Just joining our academy was seen as a huge success story for Francillette last summer, having been playing in the reserve team of AS Quetigny Football 12 months ago, who are a small regional league club that plays in the sixth-tier of France’s football pyramid.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans responded to Francillette’s message after training with the first-team…
Keep your head up lad, we’ll be ready to cheer you on when you get the call 👍
— Sam (@Sam9nufc) January 7, 2020
Great take this opportunity to show your worth work hard and your time will come
— Anderson (@k1ando2) January 7, 2020
Keep going mate👍
— NUFC⚪⚫ (@ASM_SZN) January 7, 2020
Keep working hard🤞🏻👊🏼
— Joe🔳 (@nufcjoe_) January 7, 2020
Nice one
— Andy (@andynufcolds) January 7, 2020
Never give up and dream big 💪🏽🥇
— Marsel Canko Ⓜ️ (@MarselCanko) January 7, 2020
You’ll get your chance Ludwig, I’ll be sure to cheer you on when you do!
— ☃️ Festive Chazo ☃️ (@GSChazo) January 7, 2020
Should do what Liverpool do and have all the U21 train with the first team
— ToonBarmy2 (@Barmy2Toon) January 7, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club are chasing a loan-to-buy deal for a £22.5million forward.