NEWCASTLE UNITED have signed four of its academy products to professional deals with the club.

Striker Tom Heardman, midfielder Liam Smith and defenders Jamie Sterry and Macaulay Gillesphey were all offered terms in March, and have all signed deals.

While they will not be first-team players straight away, the Magpies have included the likes of Sterry in matchday squads and will call on their young players similarly during the new season under Steve McClaren.

Sterry was named on the bench against Liverpool and Tottenham last season, and said: "I'm absolutely buzzing. I was on the bench last season and the atmosphere was amazing. I hope to experience that many more times. I'm looking forward to pre-season training now and seeing how that goes. I can't wait."

Striker Heardman scored five in eight starts in the under-21s last season, and said: "Signing the papers in the boardroom was a bit surreal, and being a fan of the Club all my life, I am still trying to take it all in, that it's actually happening.

"A lot of hard work has gone into getting to this point but the real hard work begins now."

Gillesphey is a centre-half, but can also play left-back, like Paul Dummett, who also graduated from the academy. "It feels great, I'm over the moon to sign my professional contract, he said.

"It's a thing I've always wanted since I was younger, so I'm really happy with it. I definitely want to try and push to get in the first team squad and on the bench, so I'll see what I can do about that."

Midfielder Smith, from South Shields, has been at the club since he was six and made 16 appearances for the under-21s last season.

Smith said: "I've been here for 13 years now and to finally sign my first professional contract is everything I have worked for. It's a special moment."

Six players have signed third year scholarships with the club - goalkeeper Brendan Pearson and defenders Jamie Cobain, Kyle Cameron, Adam Laidler, Callum Williams and Liam Gibson.

n Tickets are now on sale for Newcastle’s pre-season game at Gateshead on July 10. United supporters have been allocated the North, South and East stands for the fixture at the International Stadium and with demand anticipated to be high, tickets for these stands only have been transferred to the Newcastle United box office, where they will be on general sale.

Tickets are priced at £15 for adults, £10 for over-60s, £8 for students and ages 16-17 and £3 for under-15s. Supporters are asked to note that the match will be ticket-only with allocated seating and that under-15s must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets will be available in person at the St. James’ Park box office (first floor, club store), by calling 0844 372 1892 or online via www.nufc.co.uk/tickets