Newcastle United reveal Lewis Hall clause after confirming left-back’s arrival from Chelsea

Newcastle United have confirmed the signing of Lewis Hall on a season-long loan from Chelsea, which includes an obligation to buy next summer ‘based on performance-related criteria’.

The 18-year-old travelled to Tyneside on Friday to undergo his medical. Hall was at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening as his new teammates narrowly lost 1-0 to Premier League champions Manchester City.

A boyhood Newcastle fan, the England youth international becomes the club’s fifth summer signing behind Yankuba Minteh, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento - and will wear shirt number 20.

Hall said: “I’m very proud. Me and my family are Newcastle fans, and for me and my brother growing up, it was drilled into us that we were Newcastle. It’s a big club and I can’t wait to get started.

“I got a lot of experience last year in some big fixtures and I was really proud of the way I progressed as a player and a person. To now be here at Newcastle, the club that I’ve supported since I was a kid, I’m honoured and very proud to wear this shirt.

“It’s very exciting. When you look back on last season and the way the team performed – not just the results, but the performances the team were putting in – it was amazing.

“There’s so many talented players and we’ve got the Champions League now as well so there’s many different competitions that I know the team will be wanting to do well in, and hopefully get a trophy or two as well.”

Hall featured 11 times for Chelsea last season and started both Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, where he was named The Blues’ player of the match in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge back in May.

He was also named the Blues’ Academy Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season - just two years after Tino Livramento picked up the same accolade.

But having spent a British record £115m on Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo - taking Chelsea’s spending under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital led consortium to £900m - the West London club opted to cash in Hall to help comply with Financial Fair Play rules.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe added: “I’m delighted to welcome Lewis to Newcastle United.

“He is a player we have tracked closely, as have a number of clubs, so it’s very pleasing to secure him and to add a player of his quality, versatility and high potential to our squad.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved for their tireless work to bring in the players we have.

“A lot of time, effort and resource goes into a transfer window, but we have a real togetherness at all levels here and I appreciate that teamwork and support.”