Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell did make signings in a quiet January transfer window.
A lot of the attention was on the departure side of things, however. Newcastle United were forced to lose winger Miguel Almiron and defender Lloyd Kelly to get in the good books with Profit and Sustainability Rules which have been a big problem for the club in the last 12 months.
Newcastle players weren’t phased by January sales – they are all focused on bringing a trophy back to Tyneside for the first time since 1969. Since the takeover in 2021, a lot of the focus on recruitment has been on signing young players and developing them to play in the first-team.
Several names have joined from clubs across Europe in the last three years including Alfie Harrison who signed from Manchester City for around £3m.
Newcastle have even branched out into other parts of the world – Garang Kuol joined Newcastle in 2023 and has been in fine form for the under-21s since returning from injury.
With the Magpies’ new youth signings settling in at their new clubs, one player made his debut and did something Eddie Howe is sure to love.
Kyle Fitzgerald makes debut for Newcastle’s academy
Newcastle’s new signing Kyle Fitzgerald was officially unveiled as a Magpie in February after signing his first professional contract during the January transfer window. Fitzgerald rejected Brighton and Wolves for Newcastle citing the project that Steve Harper and head of youth recruitment Paul Midgley revealed to him during discussions.
Fitzgerald follows defender Alex Murphy from Galway United to Tyneside – Murphy joined Bolton on loan in January to play more first-team football and impress Howe.
On Saturday, Fitzgerald made his debut for Newcastle’s under-18s in a 0-0 draw against Manchester United in the Premier League North, replacing Michael Mills.
Although he is usually a striker, Fitzgerald played on the right wing for his 20-minute cameo, showing his versatility which is bound to impress the Newcastle boss.
Howe likes his players to be able to operate in multiple positions – Newcastle have several versatile players in their squad including Lewis Hall who can play as a left-back and midfielder.
With Newcastle struggling for depth on the wing, Howe will be pleased to see another player he can select if need be. There is no doubt Fitzgerald will be far down the pecking order at this point in time but his versatility could prove to be a key aspect to his game that fast-tracks him to Newcastle’s first-team squad.
- READ MORE – Newcastle United’s newest signing Kyle Fitzgerald has already sent a big message to Eddie Howe
Paul Mitchell planning more youth recruitment at Newcastle
January was a busy window from a youth perspective, and that will be the expectation in future transfer windows thanks to a new recruitment strategy Paul Mitchell has implemented at the club.
Newcastle will sign youth from abroad in future in a bid to find more hidden gems for much less. In January, Newcastle signed Baran Yildiz from Turkish Second Divison side Genclerbirligi – the 18-year-old was registered in the Magpies Premier League squad for the rest of the season alongside Fitzgerald.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are set to sign Antonio Cordero from Malaga on a free transfer in the summer. The winger has impressed in the Segunda Division so far this season, scoring four goals and bagging five assists.
Cordero was a late substitute in Malaga’s win against Cartagena on Saturday which saw the former La Liga side move up to 14th in the table.
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