Newcastle United agree to sign exciting defender as medical pencilled in
Newcastle United are close to finalising a deal.
Newcastle United are poised to complete their first academy signing of the summer.
As first broken by the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, 16-year-old left-back Oliver Goodbrand is due on Tyneside for a medical ahead of completing a move from Scottish giants Rangers.
Newcastle’s interest in Goodbrand first emerged in April when the Daily Record claimed an agreement was close. The teenager is highly-rated by the Gers, who were prepared to offer him professional terms.
Goodbrand is claimed to have attracted interest from abroad but has agreed to move to Tyneside. He will go straight into the Magpies’ academy set up next season.
Newcastle United academy retained list announced
On Friday afternoon, Newcastle announced their academy retained list, confirming Jay Turner-Cooke, Ellis Stanton, twin brothers Harry & Rory Powell, Josh Donaldson and James Huntley are due to be released at the end of this month.
Turner-Cooke joined the Magpies from Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland in January 2021 and played in a handful of first-team friendlies, including away to Gateshead when he scored a 3-2 victory.
The 21-year-old midfielder had loan spells at Tranmere Rovers and St Johnstone but struggled to make a keen impression. He spent the whole of last season with the under-21s. Stanton, a midfielder, has been part of the under-21s set up since the latter stages of the 2021-22 season.
Ashington-born Huntley never made a first-team appearance but was given an experience he’ll never forget after being named on the bench for Newcastle’s 1-1 draw away to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in December 2023.
Huntley spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at National League North side Spennymoor Town before being informed of his release, which ends an end to his 14 years on United’s books.
Commenting on the academy exits, academy director Steve Harper said: "I want to extend my gratitude to all the players who are moving on from the Academy. Their commitment and growth - both as footballers and individuals - reflect the dedication they have shown throughout their time representing Newcastle United.
"They have been a credit to themselves, their families and to the club and they should be immensely proud of everything they’ve achieved.
"Our support doesn’t stop here. The Academy remains a resource for them as they take the next steps in their careers, and I look forward to seeing where their journeys take them. On behalf of everyone here, we wish them every success for the future."