Newcastle United chief Joe Kinnear says Paul Dummett can inspire more of the locals in the academy.
The defender penned a long-term deal with his hometown club last week.
Kinnear remarked: "We hope that Paul will follow in the footsteps of current players Tim Krul, Steven Taylor and Shola Ameobi, who have come through the Academy and contributed hugely to this club like many others before them.
"It confirms our belief that there is local talent out there for us to identify and nurture through the club and that our strategy in respect of this can - and will - bear fruit. Paul's achievement should give encouragement to our Academy to keep up the great work and also sends a strong positive message to young local players that if you are good enough then there will be opportunities at this club."
