Newcastle United have confirmed that Kell Watts has completed a loan move to Wigan Athletic.
The 21-year-old centre back has impressed in pre-season and featured in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Norwich City at St James’ Park.
However, Steve Bruce clearly feels he’ll benefit from another season of regular football away from the club, meaning he’ll spend 2021/22 in League One.
The Alnwick born defender impressed during a spell at Plymouth Argyle last season and has caught the eye this summer, leaving myself and many others on social media wondering why a Championship club hasn’t come in for him.
That said, could this be a sign we are close to landing a new centre-back of our own? Only time will tell, but it makes you wonder when Lejeune has already left and Dummett is injured – leaving us with just four fit options in Lascelles, Schar, Fernandez and Clark.
See the club’s official statement in full below:
Newcastle United defender Kell Watts has joined League One side Wigan Athletic on loan for the duration of the 2021/22 season.
Centre half Watts has linked up with the Latics after featuring for the Magpies during pre-season, with his most recent appearance coming in United’s 3-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday.
He will now join Leam Richardson’s side for the rest of the campaign as he bids to gain more experience in a league in which he excelled last term.
Watts, 21, spent 2020/21 on loan at Plymouth Argyle, making a total of 50 appearances and scoring three times as he established himself at Home Park.
The youngster, who made his Premier League debut for Newcastle against Liverpool on the final day of the 2019/20 season, has also spent time out on loan at Stevenage and Mansfield Town in recent seasons.
Watts could be part of the Latics’ squad for their Carabao Cup tie at Hull City on Tuesday night – but failing that, is likely to be involved when Richardson’s side welcome Rotherham United to the DW Stadium for their first home game of the League One season on Saturday.
Good luck, Kell!
I’m guessing that the youngster only got a game pre-season to showcase his talent. Considering that 3 days later he’s gone, it’s likely that the deal was already almost there, but Wigan were still parked on the fence, and needed a little persuading, so Bruce gave him some game time.
If players are getting first team exposure and then going out to League One teams their future lies elsewhere. This is just us trying to get the Academy making money.
On the other hand I’d like to think we are pushing first teamers out on loan because we have others coming in, but you just never know with our lot.
Helen Clarey(Quote)