Another CB set to arrive as Toon beat Liverpool & Brighton to top teenager tipped for “great career”

I am talking about Kilmarnock’s Scottish International under-17 Captain Charlie McArthur – the latest centre-back expected to arrive on Tyneside this summer.

About two weeks ago it was widely reported that he would be the Club’s next signing, with The Athletic reporting that we’d struck a deal at £350,000 and agreed personal terms with the player.

In another move to bolster the Academy ranks, we could even see him partner Republic of Ireland Under 18 international Alex Murphy – the Galway United defender set to join our Under 21’s this month.

McArthur, 17, is a highly rated teenager that has already played in Kilmarnock’s first team on four occasions at the tender age of 16. He is a much touted talent both in his own country and further afield with many an English Club interested in his signing.

The Chronicle report that he was ‘wanted’ by both Liverpool and Brighton – two sides with an excellent recruitment record at this level – so it seems we’ve got ourselves a good one.

The deal was reported as done and dusted and would further have shown that this new NUFC is going to be looked at from top to bottom. It’s not quite another Sven Botman, but it’s great to see the Club make smart moves at Academy level, with McArthur one of many top young talents who could arrive this summer.

Ex-Killies boss and former United shot-stopper Tommy Wright had this to say about one of Scotland’s most exciting prospects…

“The biggest compliment I can pay Charlie is that the lads treat him like a 26-year-old.

“Since I’ve been in here he’s trained all pre-season with us, we looked at him last season and he’s a dream to work with.

“I don’t want to stick labels on how good he is but he’s very, very good and will have a great career.”

Hopefully a future star at St James’ Park, but certainly one to watch alongside Alex Murphy in Elliot Dickman’s fast-improving U21 side.