Young Newcastle United shot-stopper Harris has learnt from Pope, Dubravka, and more. Now, he's looking to make his mark on the senior game - via an eye-opening loan spell in Northern Ireland.
Before Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United in February 2023, young goalkeeper Aidan Harris earned his first life-changing involvement in the club’s first team environment. It was a week that kick started his goalkeeping life in senior football - a life that has recently advanced to a first loan move away from the North East.
“We had Loris Karius, Nick Pope, and Martin Dubravka, so the group was full of top goalkeepers,” Harris said, speaking exclusively to Goalkeeper.com. “I just went up to serve for them during the session. Sometimes you don’t even have to ask them questions to learn. You watch and see how they move, see what's different to you, and what you would like to add to your game. My first impression was that this is next level, and where I need to be in the future. It was tunnel vision from there on.”
Harris’ eye-catching talent and determined mindset yielded extraordinary results as he was named on the bench for Newcastle’s Champions League clash with AC Milan at the San Siro in September 2023. It was a chance that came through “hard work,” he recalled, proudly.
Travelling with the squad to one of Europe’s most historic stadiums was such a constructive experience and everlasting memory. “I was nervous to go out and do the warm-up, but it was so refreshing to see how the senior goalkeepers dealt with the nerves,” Harris continued. “I think the most calming thing is when you look at someone and they're not nervous. That's something I've tried to take into my game.”
The opportunity for close observation often brings as much learning for a young goalkeeper as actually being involved in a session or game does.
The 18-year-old first joined Newcastle’s youth set-up in 2017 and recorded his first-team debut in May 2024 during a post-season friendly against the A-League All Stars in Melbourne. In November 2024, Harris scooped the Wor Jackie Award, which honours the club’s Young Player of the Year, following in the footsteps of Sean Longstaff, Elliot Anderson, and Lewis Miley.
Last month, it was announced that the Newcastle under-21s goalkeeper will join NIFL (Northern Irish Football League) Premiership side Coleraine FC for the first half of the 2025/26 season on loan.
Personally and professionally, the move to Northern Ireland has been massive for the youngster. “It all happened really fast”, he admitted, when asked how he’s finding his new surroundings.” A few weeks ago I got the call on the Wednesday saying I was going, and then on the Thursday morning, I flew here, so I didn't have much time to process it.
“Before I came, I thought it was going to be quite challenging to try to settle in a different place, but it's been class. I feel like I've already matured as a person, but more as a goalkeeper, because I'm playing men's football now. I just need to embrace everything in my stride.”
“I went to watch training on the first day, and when I got back to my accommodation, I unpacked my clothes, and then it sunk in…I had to cook my tea!”, he laughs.
“Even just in three weeks, I've learned more about myself and a lot more about the game. I just need to continue on this path and embrace everything in my stride.”
For many 18 year olds, a first move from home is away to university. The similarities are obvious when it comes to loan football, apart from one key difference: most university students are not having to learn ‘how to do life’ with the added weekly pressure of performing in front of a few thousand passionate fans every week.
For Harris, in either the electrifying intensity of the grand St James’ Park or Coleraine’s Showgrounds stadium, he maintains a strong mindset to mirror the crowd. “The word that gets talked about a lot is passion, and fans are the most passionate people in the stadium, so we've got to try and match that energy.”
It’s an energy that isn’t lost on the boy from Washington. Harris is a Newcastle fan, despite also attending Sunderland games as a kid, giving him added incentive to succeed in the North East and a life of exposure to the importance of performing for the badge on your shirt.
“Growing up, I've made the transition into being a Newcastle fan, which the Sunderland part of my family doesn't like!” he revealed. “It's hard not to when you play for a club for nearly eight years now. I've been going to games a lot more now, since we get tickets from the club, so it's hard not to fall in love with it.”
Harris has started his loan spell in blistering fashion, with one goal conceded and three clean sheets in his first four appearances. He’s relishing the chance to adopt a different football culture. “Football is very big over here,” he said. “They've got the Northern Irish Football League and the Republic of Ireland League. You do get a lot of fans coming to the game, it's a big community. The fans are great and very loud, which is what you like to see. Coleraine is a one-place club, and everyone surrounds the stadium because it's in the middle of the town, which I think is brilliant.
Although it's a short loan, Harris is committed to improvement, showcasing his best and treating the move as a learning curve. “I want to keep as many clean sheets as I can, because that's how you win games, and be exposed to making mistakes in front of people and having to deal with that adversity.
“After having conversations with big fans to find out what the club means to certain people, that has fired me up even more. I just want to help the lads out whenever I can, and they've been great since I've come in."
The goalkeeper remarked that the added physicality and directness of the football in Coleraine’s division is a challenge he’s becoming accustomed to: “One big thing that I've found out is that the ball is definitely coming in the box, whether that's from a corner or a run down the side. You've always got someone who's coming to hit you, so you've got to be prepared for impact.”
Harris is brimming with ambition and is excited for the future. He confirmed that he is in regular contact with Newcastle’s loan department, and one of his coaches visited to watch him in a home game.
“I'm at Coleraine for about six months. Depending on how I do, they might want to keep me, or I might go back. We'll see what happens from there.”
Harris’ potential is unlimited, and the possibilities are endless. The goalkeeper is hard-wired to make the most of every opportunity and, as such, is undoubtedly a name to monitor.
