NEWCASTLE United have added to their academy ranks with the signing of highly-rated Irish winger Kyle Fitzgerald.
The 18-year-old put pen to paper on a move from Galway United after a successful trial on Tyneside.
It's another example of Newcastle putting their link-up with the Irish club to good use, with Alex Murphy having previously joined in the summer of 2022.
And Newcastle beat a host of other clubs to the signing of Fitzgerald, a right winger and Republic of Ireland youth international who made his first team debut when he was just 17.
Steve Harper, Newcastle United's academy director, said: "We are delighted Kyle has chosen to join the club amidst lots of interest from other big clubs.
"He has impressed during a trial period with the academy and we are very pleased he is joining us at this crucial stage of his career.
"Our talent pathway has had some big success stories in recent years so the challenge is there for Kyle and all of our players to continue their development and hopefully follow in the footsteps of those who have gone on to compete in the first-team squad."
A delighted Fitzgerald said: "I'm very happy. I had a few conversations with different clubs but as soon as Newcastle came in, it was a no-brainer for me. I was on trial in the summer and I really liked the city, people and the atmosphere at St. James' Park. I want to play for fans who really enjoy hard work, goals and creative players.
"The project really attracted me. Steve Harper and Paul Midgley (Head of Youth Recruitment) showed me the pathway of players such as Alex Murphy, who has came through Galway's academy and then signed for Newcastle like myself.
"I used to go to the same school as Alex but I was two or three years younger than him. I did look up to him because he was in Galway's first-team when I was at the academy. Hopefully, I can follow in similar footsteps."
He added: "Short-term, I want to show the academy why they signed me and try to get goals, assists and win games. In the long-term, it would be getting into the under-21s squad, playing well for them and showing my qualities.
"Hopefully, the gaffer can give me a chance in a few training sessions to prove myself to try and get into first-team matchday squads and, hopefully, make my debut for Newcastle United in the future."
Fitzgerald has trained at Newcastle's academy month and also spent time with the Under-21 squad in Spain last summer during his trial.
He said: "It was a tough week of training in Pinatar, getting fit in the heat, and also getting to know the lads.
"They were very welcoming with me and the likes of Heff (Cathal Heffernan), who is also Irish, helped to introduce me into the group and I'm getting very well with them.
"Coming from Ireland into an English academy, there's a massive difference in quality and training. Back home, I was only training three nights a week whereas, at Newcastle, I'm training five to six mornings and then playing a match at the weekend.
"It's a massive step up but I think I've embraced it well. I've already completed a few weeks of training with the under-18s and under-21s squads so I think I've already come on as a player in terms of quality but also as a person, getting to know the staff and players.
"Being away from home can be tough but, with the international team, I'm away a lot in different countries so I'm used to that but this is different because I'll be away for a lot of months without getting home.
"My host family is very nice, though, and I'm really enjoying it. I would say the Geordie people are similar enough to the Irish and are very friendly so I like being among them."
