EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle set to sign Fitzgerald after securing international teammate

Newcastle United look set to sign Galway United winger Kyle Fitzgerald, we can exclusively reveal.

The highly-rated 17-year-old signed his first professional contract with Galway last year after progressing through their youth ranks from U14 - U20 level and made his senior debut for the Irish giants in June.

Both Brighton and Wolves have previously taken a close look at the youngster, but it's Newcastle who look to have won the race for his signature following interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Fitzgerald represents Ireland U17, where he plays alongside new recruit Rory Finneran; the 16-year-old midfielder who completed a move to St James' Park earlier this week from Blackburn Rovers.

The Irishman could join his fellow countryman in our U21 ranks ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League 2 season and looks set to become the latest arrival from Galway after defender Alex Murphy joined in July 2022.

Over the past two years, Murphy has made his Premier League debut, joined the first team squad for a number of training sessions, made the bench for numerous games last season and signed a new long-term deal with the club in May.

Fitzgerald will be hoping to follow the same path as Murphy as Newcastle tap into the Irish market once again, with many in Ireland having high hopes for the teenager following his rise through the ranks for club and country.

This follows a busy summer of recruitment at the club's Academy, with Aaron Epia (Everton), Ezra Tika-Lemba (West Ham), Kayden Lucas (Clevedon Town), James Taylor (Hemel Hempstead), CJ Afumuzor (Porsmouth) Theo Benjamin and Les Yeutembip (Charlton) joining Rory Finneran in joining between U15 to U21 age groups.

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