It has been a big fortnight for young Newcastle Jets defender Patrick Langlois.
Not only has the former Broadmeadow Magic youth player made his first two friendly appearances for Ernie Merrick’s first team, he also made a massive 26-hour commute to Shandong Province in China where he will represent the Club at the 2017 Weifang Cup.
Over the next seven days Langlois could add competitive appearances against the likes of Shandong Luneng, Chivas Guadalajara and Club Brugge to his burgeoning CV, as a Jets under 18 select side flies the flag for Australia in Asia.
“It was a great opportunity to be able to play with the first team (against Broadmeadow),” Langlois said. “(Especially) before coming to this great tournament.”
“The facilities (at Shandong Luneng’s Academy in Weifang City) are unreal. They’re so big, it’s just so professional and there are so many grounds. It would be awesome to have this back in Newcastle, but it’s unreal to be here.”
Jets Youth will open their 2017 Weifang Cup campaign with a matchday 1 meeting with hosts Shandong Luneng FC (Youth) on Sunday morning at 9:00am local time (11:00am AEST).
The team held a recovery session at a local aquatic centre on Friday night, and will hold an acclimatisation session on Saturday.
“I have pulled up pretty well,” Langlois said. “I am feeling good and I think the boys are all feeling the same.”
2017 Weifang Cup – Newcastle Jets Youth
Match 1: vs. Shandong Luneng FC
Date: Sunday 23 July 2017
Kick-off: 9:00am (local) / 11:00am (AEST)
Match updates: www.Twitter.com/NewcastleJetsFC