Newcastle United confirm midfield signing on two-and-a-half-year deal – player wanted by Spurs & West Ham
Newcastle United have confirmed the deadline day signing of 18-year-old midfielder Alfie Harrison from Manchester City.
The teenager has signed for the club on a two-and-a-half year deal
The 18-year-old has completed his medical at Newcastle, agreeing a three-and-a-half-year deal to join the club with the option of a further year. Harrison is set to join up with The Magpies’ academy set-up and will be eligible to feature for the Under-18s and Under-21s sides.
The Gazette understands the initial fee Newcastle have paid Manchester City for the teenage midfielder is a nominal one, Manchester Evening News have revealed some significant add-ons have been included as part of the deal. The Magpies could end up paying Manchester City as much as £3.5million for Harrison should he meet certain performance-related criteria
Harrison had impressed at Manchester City’s academy this season with eight goals and four assists in 10 appearances. He is set to become Newcastle’s first and only January signing, albeit a youth one.
Newcastle’s head of youth recruitment Paul Midgley, who joined the club from Manchester City in 2022, played a role in the move which provides the player with ‘a clear path towards first-team action’. Clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Celtic had also been linked with the player before he agreed to join Newcastle.
Reflecting on the transfer, Howe said: “We welcome him into the football club, I wasn’t directly involved in that transfer but we welcome him into the club. He’s a very talented young player and we hope he does really well with us.”
Midfielder Alfie Harrison has joined Newcastle United until the summer of 2026, signing for an undisclosed fee from Manchester City, subject to the necessary approvals.
The 18-year-old has built a reputation as a technically gifted player since joining City’s Academy aged nine and will initially link up with Newcastle’s Professional Development Phase (PDP).
An impressive 2022/23 saw Harrison help City’s youngsters to the Under-18s Premier League title and he has continued that form this season with eight goals and four assists to his name.
On joining the Academy, Harrison said: “The size of the club and what it has got going for it is massive for me. It’s got a huge, passionate fanbase and I’m looking to really push on with my career now.
“If I was a kid now, looking at me signing for Newcastle United, it’s what dreams are made of. I’m really looking forward to what is coming and how I can progress in the coming years.
“I’m an effective player who can add goals and assists. I really like to create stuff but, on the other side, I’d also say I’m a very passionate player who always wants to win.”
Academy Director Steve Harper added: “We are delighted to secure Alfie’s signature. His hunger to represent Newcastle United and continue his development here was obvious from the outset.
“He’s a passionate, talented player who we are really looking forward to welcoming to the club and ultimately seeing in a black and white shirt.
“Alfie’s signing is part of a strategic move to make our PDP group younger, particularly the Under-21s, and I would like to thank the board and everybody involved at the club in making this move happen.”
