Newcastle sign another teenager after beating "big clubs" to deal - Official photos
by Olly Hawkins · 13 February 2025, 12:32
While first team additions have been few and far between in recent windows, Newcastle United seem intent on recruiting youth talent in a bid to improve our previously neglected Academy.
Back in August last year, we released an NUFC Blog exclusive revealing that the club had won the race to bring in Irish winger Kyle Fitzgerald.
Fast forward a few months and the former Galway United talent has finally been unveiled by the club, completing all the formalities after turning 18 a few weeks ago.
Newcastle announce new signing
It's finally official - Kyle Fitzgerald is a Newcastle United player, joining our Under-21s from Irish giants Galway United.
The winger becomes the second Galway talent to arrive on Tyneside after Alex Murphy, joining the club's Academy following a successful trial period.
A deal has been in place for some time, but a change in the United Kingdom’s non-EU registration rules meant the player could not officially sign until he turned 18 at the end of January.
Fitzgerald is an Ireland Under-17 international and becomes the latest teenager to sign, with Turkey's Baran Yildiz and Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia recently recruited by sporting director Paul Mitchell along with Serbia's Miodrag Pivas; currently on loan in the Eredivisie.
Discussing the deal, Academy director Steve Harper admitted Newcastle held off competition from several "big clubs" to secure the winger: "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."
Fitzgerald reacts to Toon move
Speaking to the club's official website, Fitzgerald admits it was a "no-brainer" to join Newcastle in the end after conversations with several other clubs.
He also referenced Alex Murphy and the pathway to first-team football as one of the key factors after talks with Harper and Head of Youth Recruitment, Paul Midgley:
"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."
“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.” 🗣️
