Newcastle United have made their first signing on transfer deadline day, with Harrison Ashby officially joining the club.
It was reported on Sunday that a £3million deal had been agreed with West Ham, and now the move has been announced.
Eddie Howe has been searching for an extra right-back all month, and finally he has got one.
Ashby becomes the second new signing at Newcastle in recent days, following Anthony Gordon’s arrival at St James’ Park. He was someone the club revisited after failing to get him in the summer, and the same goes for Ashby.
The 21-year-old was a target at the start of the season, but a deal failed to come to fruition. But now Ashby is a Magpie, and Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has provided someone insight on how Toon boss Eddie Howe views the youngster.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
Newcastle sign Harrison Ashby for the first-team
Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has commented on Ashby’s move from West Ham to Newcastle, and discussed the role the youngster will have at his new club.
“Eddie Howe does see him as a first-team player,” Downie said.
“He will be given opportunities here at St James’ Park moving forward.”
Ashby is going to provide backup for Kieran Trippier, rather than spending time with the youth setup. That is a testament to how highly Howe rates the defender, given that he has barely featured under David Moyes this season.
The youngster only made two senior appearances for the Hammers this season, both of which came in the Europa Conference League.
But now Ashby is going to be a first-team player for a club that is currently third in the Premier League, providing cover for arguably the division’s best right-back.
Ashby has been given a wonderful opportunity at St James’ Park, and it will be exciting to see him develop and learn from Trippier.