It’s finally official – Newcastle United have announced the signing of Lewis Hall from Chelsea.
The 18-year-old arrives on an initial loan deal which includes an obligation to buy next summer. The fees aren’t mentioned in the club announcement, but it’s widely reported that it’ll be £28m next summer, plus a further £7m in performance-related add-ons.
Hall is a boyhood Newcastle fan who made 12 senior appearances for Chelsea last season. The versatile left-back was their shining light in an otherwise dismal year for the Blues and made his Premier League debut in their 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park in December.
Here’s the club’s announcement video, followed by Hall and Eddie Howe’s reactions to the move (via NUFC.co.uk):
Lewis Hall – “I’m very proud. Me and my family are Newcastle fans, and for me and my brother growing up, it was drilled into us that we were Newcastle. It’s a big club and I can’t wait to get started.
“I got a lot of experience last year in some big fixtures and I was really proud of the way I progressed as a player and a person. To now be here at Newcastle, the club that I’ve supported since I was a kid, I’m honoured and very proud to wear this shirt.
“It’s very exciting. When you look back on last season and the way the team performed – not just the results, but the performances the team were putting in – it was amazing.
“There’s so many talented players and we’ve got the Champions League now as well so there’s many different competitions that I know the team will be wanting to do well in, and hopefully get a trophy or two as well.”
Eddie Howe – “I’m delighted to welcome Lewis to Newcastle United.
“He is a player we have tracked closely, as have a number of clubs, so it’s very pleasing to secure him and to add a player of his quality, versatility and high potential to our squad.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved for their tireless work to bring in the players we have.
“A lot of time, effort and resource goes into a transfer window, but we have a real togetherness at all levels here and I appreciate that teamwork and support.”
A great signing and brilliant coup for the club, with us recruiting two of the Premier League’s most exciting young full-backs in Hall and Tino Livramento.
Welcome to the Toon, Lewis!
