Newcastle United complete second signing of 2025 - set to be confirmed today
Newcastle United have formally completed the signing of Kyle Fitzgerald from Galway United.
The Republic of Ireland youth international spent time on trial at Newcastle last summer before agreeing a permanent contract later in the year.
United, however, were unable to officially tie up a move until Fitzgerald celebrated his 18th birthday, which is today. An undisclosed fee has been agreed with Galway.
The young forward made his senior debut for the League of Ireland club last year. He also trialled at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion but opted to move to the North East of England.
Newcastle’s academy ranks has a strong Irish contingent, including the likes of Alex Murphy, Cathal Heffernan, Reece Byrne and Rory Finneran, who arrived from Blackburn Rovers last August.
Fitzgerald becomes the second youngster to sign for the Magpies in 2025 after Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia. Similar to Fitzgerlad, Salia will complete his switch from Dinamo Tbilisi when he turns 18 in August.
Salia was given a tour of Newcastle’s training ground earlier this month and met with important figures such as head coach Eddie Howe, sporting director Paul Mitchell and loan manager Shola Ameobi.
“We're delighted to get ahead of a number of other top clubs to sign Vakhtang,” said Mitchell. "Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future, particularly within the current PSR framework, so the market is fiercely competitive.
"We continue to scout extensively, both domestically and overseas, with a view to securing players who can come through our talent pathway and, ideally, become part of the first team in future.
"We look forward to working with Vakhtang and wish him every success during his remaining time with Dinamo Tbilisi."