Newcastle United announce nine new signings as restructure takes place

Newcastle United have handed scholarships to NINE teenagers ahead of next season, the club has announced.

Johnny Emerson leads the ways after making his under-21s debut aged just 16 during a Premier League Cup victory against Watford in December.

Lewis Miley, the younger brother of under-18s skipper Jamie, has been offered a scholarship too, as has twins Rory and Harry Powell, Josh Donaldson, Dylan Charlton, Scott Bailey, Darren Palmer and Carter Milmore.

In a club statement, it added: “Academy Director, Steve Harper, welcomes the new under-17 scholars and looks forward to working with them and helping them develop over the next two years.”

The youngsters will join the Magpies on a full-time basis in July after leaving school in the summer, with the aim of earning a professional contract on Tyneside.

Although the current focus in on which players Eddie Howe will add to his first-team squad, vital academy improvements are currently taking place after Dan Ashworth’s arrival as sporting director.

On Thursday, it was confirmed by the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope that full-back Jordan Hackett will join following his release from Tottenham Hotspur.

According to the Spurs website, London-born defender Hackett made 22 appearances for their under-18s side over the last two seasons and continued to be a regular feature in the side as they finished in ninth place in the South Division table during the current campaign.

After representing England at under-16 level, he earned a maiden call-up to the under-18 squad in March 2021 and made a ten-minute appearance as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Wales.

The Magpies also fought off strong competition to land young Galway United defender Alex Murphy, while Kilmarnock’s very highly-rated Charlie McArthur, is also set to sign.

The Magpies have agreed a fee and personal terms for the central defender, who is viewed as one of the most talented young prospect in Scotland.

McArthur, who captained Scotland’s under-17s at the European Championships in Israel this year, was handed his senior debut by former United goalkeeper Tommy Wright in October last year aged just 16.