EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle complete CJ signing and another deal close as Academy push continues
Six weeks ago, we released an NUFC Blog exclusive revealing that Newcastle United were closing in on the signing of Portsmouth talent Chukwudi “CJ” Afumuzor.
The box-to-box midfielder is considered one of the best Category Three players in the country and is represents a real coup for the club's Academy, who beat Aston Villa, Manchester United, Brighton to a deal for the 14-year-old.
We can reveal that Afumuzor left the South Coast for Tyneside last weekend and has already got to work at Newcastle, taking part in his first training session at the club's Little Benton base on Monday after putting pen to paper.
‘CJ’ has a tall frame for his age, standing 5ft 9′ and has been praised for his engine, ball-winning qualities and ability to drive forward, showing an eye for goal with over 20 goals for Portsmouth’s youth teams last season.
The youngster is one of several Academy recruits this summer, with a number of domestic talents arriving across our U15 to U21 sides. 16-year-old defender Aaron Epia has joined from Everton, while talented winger Ezra Tika-Lemba (West Ham), Kayden Lucas (Clevedon Town) and goalkeeper James Taylor (Hemel Hempstead) have also been recruited.
More could follow, as Newcastle hope to finalise the signing of Blackburn talent Rory Finneran in the coming weeks. The 16-year-old Irish youth international became Rovers’ youngest-ever player to feature in a first-team game earlier this year, featuring for the Championship side in the FA Cup.
He's expected to be the next Academy arrival ahead of the 2024/25 season if all goes to plan, with Newcastle believing they've held off competition from a number of clubs in England and Germany.
The club have also hired a new Under-16 lead coach, with PSV’s Jack Brazil leaving the Dutch giants to take up a new position at the club.
