Revealed! The contract length Dan Burn is set to sign at Newcastle United as transfer nears completion

Dan Burn has agreed a two-and-a-half year contract with Newcastle United - with the defender now set to undergo his medical at his boyhood club.

The Magpies reached an agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday morning after Eddie Howe identified Burn as a leading defensive target.

Burn has spent the last few days discussing personal terms, with a deal agreed between United and the player on deadline day afternoon.

It was a huge decision for the 29-year-old, who was happy and settled on the south coast along with his young family.

However, the pull of playing for his boyhood club, in the end, proved too difficult to turn down.

Burn will now undergo his medical at the club’s Benton training base ahead of becoming one of three potential deadline day signings.

Matt Targett is set to sign on loan from Aston Villa, while United face a race against time to sign Reims wonderkid Hugo Ekitike.

Burn used to have a season ticket at St James’ Park, as did his father, and was on the academy books at United between the age of 11 and 13.

The 6ft7 defender, who can play at left-back as well as centre-back, started his senior career at Darlington before joining Fulham in 2011.

Burn had the opportunity to join the Magpies under Alan Pardew but the player decided it was best to pursue his football career away from the North East.

A permanent move to Wigan Athletic was next for Burn. And then, after two years, Brighton came calling, where he has been since 2018.

He has featured 85 times for the Seagulls and this season has received several plaudits for his partnership with Adam Webster in captain Lewis Dunk’s absence.

Burn was on holiday in Dubai when he learned about Newcastle’s interest.

Howe has been trying all month to sign a central defender as efforts to sign Lille’s Sven Botman and Sevilla’s Diego Carlos fell flat.