Teenage Cumbrian winger Johnny Emerson is set to sign a professional contract with Newcastle United.

The Premier League club have confirmed that Carlisle-born Emerson is one of a group of under-18 players who will step up to the pro ranks.

Emerson, 18, has been coming through the Magpies ranks since joining from Queen of the South's academy five years ago.

He has been rewarded for his progress with senior terms along with ten of his fellow under-18 players.

Adam Harrison, Aidan Harris, Anthony Munda, Scott Bailey, Sean Neave, Dylan Charlton, Rory Powell, Harry Powell, Josh Donaldson and Darren Palmer will all join Emerson in turning pro this summer, the club announced.

Emerson recently represented the Magpies in the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, while the former William Howard School boy is also a Scotland Under-19 international.

He played youth football with Annan and Queens before being snapped up by Newcastle aged 13.

His retention comes as Newcastle release a host of young players, including former Annan loan striker Michael Ndiweni.

He featured for Peter Murphy's side at Galabank last season, having made his first-team Toon debut earlier in the campaign.

Amadou Diallo, Will Brown, Jude Smith, Jordan Hackett, Matty Bondswell, Lucas De Bolle, Kyle Crossley, Dylan Stephenson, Shaun Mavididi and Rodrigo Vilca are all released from the under-21 ranks, along with under-18 duo Taylor Ross and Carter Milmore.

Newcastle's academy director Steve Harper said: "I would also like to congratulate the players who have agreed new contracts.

"The hard work continues and it gets tougher every year as they look to continue their development, but they should all take great pride in this recognition and use it as motivation for the season ahead."

Emerson will become one of two promising young Cumbrians in the professional ranks at Newcastle, joining Carlisle-born midfielder Joe White, who made his Premier League debut for the Magpies last season.