Newcastle United’s Alfie Harrison reveals Hong Kong passport plan, says ‘definitely interested’ in playing for city
- The 18-year-old midfielder was born in England, but is eligible because his mum was born in Hong Kong
- Harrison says he is applying for a passport and winning with city team could only help his career
Rising Newcastle United academy star Alfie Harrison is applying for a Hong Kong passport with an eye on representing the city at international level.
The 18-year-old, who has been dubbed Erling Haaland 2.0 because of his matching hairstyle and shared love of scoring goals with the Manchester City megastar, said he was considering the move because it would be “a benefit to my career”.
Although from England, Harrison is eligible to represent Hong Kong because his mum was born in the city. He said he was “definitely interested” in the opportunity should it arise.
And despite the family connection, the Bradford-born youngster visited the city for the first time this weekend for the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens.
It was not a triumphant homecoming, however, with his young Magpies squad losing 3-2 in the Shield semi-final to Glasgow Rangers on golden goal.
“My mum was born in Hong Kong and lived here until she was about three or four,” Harrison said. “My grandad was in the army at the time and my nana was pregnant, so my mum was born here.”
Harrison said the passport process was under way, but would not divulge how far along that application was.
“It’s all getting sorted at the minute but [representing Hong Kong internationally] is something I’d be interested in,” he said.
“I think it’d be a good experience and something that would benefit my career. So yeah, I’d definitely be interested.”
The highly rated midfielder moved from Manchester City to their Premier League rivals in February and scored 11 goals in as many games in the Under-18 Premier League North.
He had been with City since he was nine years old and his technical ability earned him a scholarship as an attacking midfielder with the treble winners.
Manager Pep Guardiola had him to train with his first-team ahead of their Champions League group stage fixture against Young Boys in November.
However, Harrison ultimately decided to move north to further his career and increase his chances of getting into the senior squad.
“Obviously, Newcastle is such a big club and it looked like a good chance that would progress my career,” Harrison said. “Since I’ve come I’ve loved every minute of it and I’m not looking back.
“Obviously every kid’s dream is to break into the first team and if I can prove myself, that would be great.”
Despite crashing out of the competition in the semi-finals, Harrison put on a good show for his prospective new home fans, scoring two goals in five games, the second of which levelled the score at 1-1.
The left-footed midfielder, who spent most of his time during the seven-a-side games in Hong Kong out on the right side of the pitch, carried the ball into the penalty area before cutting inside and smashing it past goalkeeper Jacob Pazikas.
Hong Kong striker Michael Udebuluzor, 20, who plays for German third-tier club FC Ingolstadt 04, was born in the city when his Nigerian father, Cornelius Udebuluzor, was playing for local side Rangers FC.
Udebuluzor had to wait for about nine months to have his passport application approved when he decided he wanted to represent the city in international competitions.
He received his passport on September 8, 2023, just weeks after Hong Kong head coach Jorn Anderson and the Football Association announced their frustration with the lengthy process.
Udebuluzor made his Hong Kong debut three days after getting his passport, scored twice in his first five team appearances and started the city’s final game against Palestine at the Asian Cup in January.
