ADAM RADWAN and Simon Uzokwe have signed new long-term deals with Newcastle Falcons afte successfully combining their development through the club's academy with stints at Darlington Mowden Park.

Radwan, who turned 20 less than a fortnight ago, burst on to Falcons’ first- team scene this season with a string of eye-catching tries. The winger starred in Newcastle’s run to the Singha 7s final before dotting down seven tries in his six first-team starts.

The Teesside flyer re-joined Falcons’ senior academy last season after being released as an 18-year-old, and has continued to play for Mowden in National One when he has not been involved in Newcastle’s match-day squad.

“Adam’s story shows that hard work and persistence really does pay off if you apply yourself in the right way,” said Falcons academy manager Mark Laycock. “He is in his first season with us as a full-time professional, he is getting better week on week and he is a very level-headed character.

“Hopefully he will get some more exposure over the next couple of months, and it’s great news for us that he has extended his senior academy deal here. He is an exciting talent who very much fits in with our philosophy, and our supporters have certainly taken to him.”

Also welcoming news of a senior academy contract renewal for England Students open-side flanker Uzokwe, Laycock added: “Simon has a year left on his pharmacy degree at Sunderland University and is working very hard on his transition to the back row, having previously played hooker.

“He is learning a huge amount every day from guys like Nili Latu, and it is a big challenge which he is taking in his stride. Simon is showing a great deal of maturity and has plenty to offer in attack which is his real point of difference, as he showed by scoring two tries on his first-team debut at Wasps this season.

“He is also working incredibly hard to be a more complete player, and it’s great that he will be remaining with us.”

Meanwhile, promising Under-18s pair Morgan Passman and Will Montgomery have stepped up to Falcons’ senior academy.