Newcastle United are closing in on another youth signing, with the Magpies reportedly making a move to secure the services of Cathal Heffernan.
The 18-year-old has been out in Italy playing for AC Milan, but is now close to signing for the Magpies.
The teenage defender has been on trial with Newcastle recently, and clearly the club have seen enough to make a move. If a deal is done, he will follow the same path of Sandro Tonali, who also swapped AC Milan for Newcastle this summer.
While there is huge excitement surrounding Tonali’s arrival, there will be less hype once Heffernan signs on the dotted line.
There will be hope that he can eventually become a first-team regular at St James’ Park, which is the dream for all of Dan Ashworth‘s youth signings.
And if Heffernan does make the grade on Tyneside, Newcastle will have to say a special thank you to a man who majorly flopped during a loan spell in the North East.
How Stephen Ireland helped Newcastle’s next signing Cathal Heffernan
The name ‘Stephen Ireland’ sends shudders down the spines of Toon fans. The attacking midfielder had a loan spell at Newcastle in 2011, and it was an absolute disaster.
He arrived from Aston Villa on loan with a view to a permanent move, but he was actually only able to play two times for the Magpies.
Injury and off-field issues made it a loan spell to forget, and it will go down as one of Newcastle’s worst-ever temporary deals.
But while Newcastle fans don’t remember Ireland fondly, Heffernan can’t speak highly enough of him.
Back in early 2022 when the teenager signed a deal to leave Cork City for AC Milan, he took time to thank the former Manchester City man for the role he played in getting him the move.
“When I met Stephen, when I was 14, the work he put in behind the scenes, not just with me but with all his players, was outstanding,” he told Buzz.
“He focuses on you getting better as a player and a person. If I didn’t meet him, none of this would have happened. This is a dream move and Stephen opened so many doors for me. He helped me get better.
“He is a really good person and he knows the ins and outs of the game. He always wants you to get better. I am so grateful to have him. It’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”
Since leaving Bolton Wanderers in 2018, Ireland has been coaching young players, one of which is Heffernan. He has done one-to-one coaching with the defender, whilst also offering him advice and guidance as he looks to make it as a professional footballer.
Ireland’s help took Heffernan to Milan, and now it looks like he is on his way to Newcastle.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
