Newcastle United look set to follow the signings of AC Milan youngster Cathal Heffernan and Chelsea’s Lewis Hall with the arrival of fellow 18-year-old Kevin Zefi.
The Dublin-born talent has impressed in Inter Milan’s academy and has 12 months left on his contract following a move from Shamrock Rovers two years ago.
Zefi is being advised by former Toon defender Stephen Carr and is set to join our U21s after a breakthrough in talks. He also plays at international level alongside Toon duo Alex Murphy and Reece Byrne; two players Dan Ashworth has brought to the club’s academy over the past 12 months
It’s believed Carr has given Newcastle a glowing review – as a city and football club – with the player also attracted by the project on Tyneside and opportunity to link up the three Irish teammates in Heffernan, Murphy and Byrne.
The skillful youngster has 23 goals and 11 assists across 53 career appearances, although the vast majority of those have come at youth level.
Last season, he impressed in Italy’s U18 B league, scoring 16 times in 13 appearances for Inter Milan, along with an assist in the UEFA Youth League; a competition we’ll feature in later this year following our qualification for the Champions League.
The attacker operated as a No.10 over the majority of 2022/23, but has also played as a left winger and striker during the first four years of his young career. Elsewhere, 16-year-old Wolves defender Leo Shahar is also expected to join our U18 side.
Left field thought, why not consider Isaac Hayden as CRB cover? He has played there before and never let us down, surely it should be something to at least think about rather than just offload him if possible.
Simon Carmichael(Quote)