Jordan Hackett has admitted that his mother wasn’t happy when he decided to join Newcastle United.
The teenager’s move to St James’ Park has now been confirmed after his arrival was rumoured last week.
Hackett’s signing was announced alongside seven other youngsters signing professional contracts with the Magpies.
The other seven players have all came through the club’s academy, while Hackett is the only new arrival.
He becomes the fifth player to sign for Newcastle this summer, alongside Alex Murphy, Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman.
Jordan Hackett explains why he has signed for Newcastle
As part of the announcement, the left-back spoke to the club’s official website and explained his decision.
“When I was here on trial for the week, I really enjoyed it,” he said.
“The lads have made me feel welcome from the first day I stepped into the building.
“It was a hard decision to move away from London – my mum didn’t like it – but you have to do what you have to do to make a career in the game and I think this is the best decision for myself.
“I like Eddie Howe – he’s a good manager who knows what he’s doing – and he likes younger players. He was a big factor in joining the club because if I do well, he will take a look at me or think about using me.”
A brave decision from Hackett
His mam might not like it, but Hackett has been very brave in swapping London for Newcastle at such a young age. But, as he says, it’s what he needs to do to further his career as a footballer.
He didn’t make the grade at Tottenham, but that’s not to say he can’t make it at St James’ Park. Spurs’ loss could be our gain, and Hackett joins the club at a very exciting time.
Newcastle are going in the right direction once again, with every department within the club being improved.
That includes the youth side, which Dan Ashworth will be keen to bolster with young talent that can go on to become first team stars.
His job is to enhance youth recruitment as well as first-team recruitment, which is why plenty of young stars are being linked with moving to Tyneside. Hackett and Murphy have made their move, while Charlie McArthur and Tyler Dibling have also been linked.
Hackett will link up with theUnder-23s side, but will eventually hope to make it into Eddie Howe’s side. That will be the club’s aim too. Newcastle wouldn’t have signed the 18-year-old if they didn’t believe he could potentially make the grade.
If he does go on to become a Premier League player with Newcastle, his mother will be glad that her son made the hard decision to leave London for the North East.
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