Newcastle United confirm fourth deadline day deal with defender on the move

Newcastle United defender Kelland Watts has joined League One club Peterborough United on loan until January.

The 22-year-old has already shone during temporary moves away from Tyneside after making 49 appearances for Plymouth Argyle during the 2020/21 season.

He enjoyed further success after joining Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan last August, helping the Latics claim the League One title and secure promotion into the Championship.

Watts had hoped to get a chance to add to the solitary senior appearance his made for Newcastle when he came on as a substitute against Liverpool on the final day of the 2019/20 season.

However, he will now link up with Peterborough and Posh manager Grant McCann believes he has secured a player with ‘a really good pedigree’ ahead of Thursday night’s transfer deadline.

The Posh boss told the club website: “I am delighted to get Kelland. He won the league with Wigan Athletic last season at this level, he is 6ft 4, strong in the air and comfortable on the ball and is a left-sided centre back, so I am pleased we have managed to get it over the line.

“He has a really good pedigree and is an excellent defender.

“The only downside to it is that he is currently injured, it might take him three or four weeks to get back and available for selection, but we wanted to wait for him.

“We had other options that we were exploring, but he was top of the list and we were prepared to wait because of how good a player he is.”

Watts will face a wait to make his Posh debut as he recovers from the knee injury he suffered during United’s pre-season trip to Austria.