Newcastle United are set to sign Jude Smith from East Fife after the teenager enjoyed a successful trial period with the Magpies.
That’s according to the Daily Record, who state that the 19-year-old is now set to travel to the North East to finalise the deal. They state that Newcastle will pay a five-figure fee for the teenage goalkeeper.
It was claimed late last month that Smith was heading to Tyneside for a trial, and that has led to Dan Ashworth making a move for the youngster.
Smith looks set to be the latest teenage addition at St James’ Park, with Newcastle’s Sporting Director doing his best to improve the club’s youth options.
Newcastle to sign another Scottish teen as Jude Smith heads to Tyneside
Once Smith signs on the dotted line, he will be the second teenager from north of the border to move to Newcastle this summer.
The Magpies have also brought in Charlie McArthur who joined the club from Kilmarnock. He’s very highly rated as a defender, and will hopefully become a future star at St James’ Park.
That will be the hope for Smith too, who was released by Celtic last year.
After becoming a free agent, Smith joined East Fife where he has rebuilt his confidence despite the Fifers being relegated to Scottish League Two.
He made his first-team debut almost a year ago to the day away to Cove Rangers, and went on to play 30 times for the first-team, keeping four clean sheets.
To have played so much at 19-years-old is impressive, but his first-team exploits will take a step back once he joins Newcastle.
Smith will link up with the Toon’s youth sides, who have seen multiple new faces arrive this summer. As well as the aforementioned McArthur, Newcastle have also brought in Alex Murphy from Galway and Jordan Hackett from Spurs.
Scottish goalkeeper Smith looks set to be the next to arrive, as he prepares to become Newcastle’s seventh signing of the summer.
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