Newcastle United ‘complete’ second Milan raid as young defender earns contract

After completing the signing of Sandro Tonali, Newcastle United have reportedly signed another player from AC Milan.

As per Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Heffernan has earned a contract at St James’ Park after featuring in under-21s friendlies against EFL clubs Carlisle United and Barrow last month.

The 18-year-old joined Milan from League of Ireland outfit Cork City in February 2022 on an initial loan deal before the move was made permanent the following summer. Heffernan has appeared 41 times at under-18s level.

Speaking earlier this year on Sky Sports, Heffernan said: “If Brexit hadn’t happened, I probably could be in England right now.

“I think it’s a massive disadvantage for England, they’re going to have to figure out a way to counteract it in the future or they’ll end up paying the price. The way it is, European clubs are just going to start taking over by getting the best players from all around Europe.

“I could be in England right now, I’m not saying I would be in England but it would be a good bit of the way there.

“I’d been on a couple of trials in Italy as well and thankfully I landed this one in Milan, it changed my life so I’m kind of happy it happened in a way, but it would have been nice to go to England as well.”

United were also linked with another young Irishman last month, Kevin Zefi of Inter Milan.

Zefi, 18, moved to Inter from Shamrock Rovers in 2021, and while he’s yet to make a senior appearance, he did impress in the youth set-up last season - scoring 16 times in 23 appearances.

The youngster, born in Dublin, never featured for Shamrock’s first-team either but did become the League of Ireland’s youngest-ever goalscorer at age 15 years and 206 days back in September 2020 after netting for the club’s second string.

Zefi has been capped by Ireland at under-15s, under-17s and under-19s level where he’s linked up with Newcastle academy pair Alex Murphy and Reece Byrne. The Irish Examiner claimed recently Newcastle remain in advanced negotiations to sign the winger.