Breakouts & wildcards - 13 surprise stars for new season

Newcastle United has secured the signing of midfielder Lewis Steur from Ajax, a deal that could reach £23 million. Steur, who joined before Eddie Howe's departure, made 25 appearances for Ajax last season and can operate in defensive or attacking midfield roles, noted for his two-footedness and passing ability.

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I saw Steur play in Europe for Ajax last season, and he made 25 appearances for them in all competitions in the end.

Despite the significant step up from the Dutch league to the Premier League as a teenager, Steur joins a club in transition under a new manager. However, Newcastle has a precedent with young players like Lewis Miley, who can serve as a learning example for Steur in a similar situation.

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He can either play in defensive midfield or a bit further forward, is two-footed and has lovely passing ability.

Steur is not expected to be an immediate starter but appears fearless and capable of seizing opportunities. Meanwhile, newly promoted Coventry City has made a club-record signing of around £25 million for Yirenkyi from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland. Yirenkyi featured in all of Ghana's World Cup matches and impressed with his energy in midfield. He has also scored for Ghana against Panama at the World Cup and previously against Wales. Having come through Ghana's 'Right To Dream Academy', he was named Young Player Of The Year in the Danish Superliga last season.

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Obviously it is a big step up, as we know, to come from the Dutch league into the Premier League as a teenager, and also to arrive at a club in transition with a new manager.

Aston Villa has a promising young striker in Madjo, who has already impressed with goals in pre-season. Born in London to Cameroonian parents, Madjo grew up in Luxembourg and has switched his international allegiance to England, playing for their U-17 team. After a clearance process, he made his competitive debut for Villa last week, scoring in the Super Cup against Paris St-Germain. Despite talk of a loan move, his pre-season form and impact against PSG suggest he will remain with the club.

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But Newcastle have got players like Lewis Miley - who has come through in recent seasons - that Steur can learn from being in a similar situation as well.