How Newcastle United ace Antonio Cordero performed on debut after ‘gamble’ loan move

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Newcastle United youngster Antonio Cordero made his debut for Belgian Pro League side KVC Westerlo on Saturday after signing in August.

Like many other transfer windows, the Magpies have been on a youth recruitment drive to help improve their chances of developing top players in their academy.

The likes of Oliver Goodbrand and Alfie Hutchison have joined Newcastle United from Rangers, while it was confirmed on social media that Isaac Moran has left Liverpool in preparation for a move to Tyneside.

Antonio Cordero was Newcastle’s first summer signing, joining on a free transfer from Malaga in July. The 18-year-old arrived from the back of a very impressive season in La Liga 2, registering 13 goal involvements to help Malaga avoid relegation.

Some fans expected the Spaniard to stay on Tyneside for his first season, but it was confirmed that Cordero has joined KVC Westerlo on loan for the 2025/26 campaign.

On Saturday, Cordero made his debut for the Belgian side. We look at how he performed away from Newcastle.

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Antonio Cordero fails to make an impact off the bench in KVC Westerlo debut

Newcastle fans were baffled when Cordero signed for Westerlo, with many believing he should be playing for a bigger club given his quality.

There were reports that Cordero was going to join Eredivisie Ajax for the season, but that move must have broken down.

Either way, Cordero has the opportunity to learn and develop in Belgium’s top league, albeit at a club with a smaller stature compared to Genk or Club Brugge.

Saturday was Cordero’s chance to impress, but he was sadly not given enough time to make an impact on the game as Westerlo fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Mechelen.

Cordero came on in the 72nd minute with the game level at 0-0, but he was unable to have a single shot on goal before Mechelen broke the deadlock in the 84th minute.

The feeling was that Cordero’s move to Westerlo is a gamble, considering that the manager is Issame Charaï, who is working in his first head coaching role in Belgium.

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Joe White plays for Leyton Orient after leaving Newcastle United on loan

Cordero is not the only Newcastle player to leave the club on loan this summer. After playing in the early pre-season loss to Celtic, Joe White joined League One side Leyton Orient on loan for the 2025/26 season.

Now 22, it remains to be seen if the central midfielder has a future on Tyneside after his loan spell, but Eddie Howe will still hope he makes an impact down South.

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Following his debut in a 3-0 loss to Huddersfield Town, White was brought on late into a 2-0 win against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

In his four-minute cameo, White managed a shot on goal, though he was not able to find the back of the net. White will soon have another opportunity to impress, as Orient take on Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday evening.