'Goosebumps' - West Ham & Tottenham Hotspur transfer target reacts to joining Newcastle United

Alfie Harrison says he is "buzzing" to join Newcastle United and has already set his sights on stepping into the first-team.

The 18-year-old midfielder arrived from Premier League rivals Manchester City for an undisclosed fee on January transfer deadline day and penned a two-and-a-half-year contract. It's understood Harrison had attracted interest from West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, Celtic, Valencia, Borussia Dortmund and Nice before opting to move to the North East.

The youngster was first in attendance at St James' Park for the 4-4 draw against Luton Town earlier this month, an experience that only fuelled his desire to make the move a success.

Speaking to the club's matchday programme about his arrival, Harrison said: "I'm buzzing to join such a big club in Newcastle United with such a big fanbase. Everyone in Newcastle is so passionate about their football and I can see a good pathway for myself if I keep working hard and pushing on.

"The interest that the club have shown in me was a really big factor in wanting to make the move and I really like the place. I've been to St James' Park already and I have to admit, it did take me back a bit. I went to the game against Luton and the atmosphere inside the stadium was unbelievable.

"It really surprised me at how good it was and I was getting goosebumps just thinking just thinking what it would be like to be out there on the pitch myself."

Harrison has scored eight times in eight Premier League under-18s games for Man City this term and made his under-21s debut in December.

Newcastle head of youth recruitment Paul Midgley, who joined from the Citizens in 2022, played a key role in the move with talks centred around Harrison having a clear path towards first-team action. "Leaving a club is part of football and whatever you think will get you to the next level, you will sacrifice that, but I will still make time for my family and see them a lot," Harrison added.

"I'd been at Manchester City for nine years, joining the club's academy when I was nine years old, so it's all a new challenge moving up here but one I am relishing and really ready to try and grasp.

"I'd say my main strengths are scoring goals and being able to affect games. I feel like I am good to watch and I don't like losing. I'm a winner so I'm very passionate. I believe in my own ability and you've got to be playing well to get those kind of opportunities but I believe I can do so.

"I think this season has gone well so far and I just need to continue that here at Newcastle. I want to break into Newcastle's under-21s team and play at a high level, affecting games with goals and assists to help the team.

"In a few years, I'd like to be in the first team. If I was a kid now, looking at me signing for Newcastle United, it's what dreams are made of. I'm really looking forward to what is coming and how I can progress in the coming years."

Harrison made his debut for Newcastle's under-21s last Saturday, playing 60 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.