Newcastle United have officially confirmed the signing of 18-year-old defender Lewis Hall from Chelsea.
The promising teenager initially joins the Toon on a season-long loan, and a fee of £28m plus £7m in add-ons will be activated at the end of the season.
Hall only made his Premier League debut for Chelsea in a 1-0 defeat against Newcastle in November 2022 but impressed in a breakthrough campaign.
The boyhood Newcastle fan was over the moon to complete the switch and will be in contention to feature against Liverpool this weekend.
He said: "I'm very proud. Me and my family are Newcastle fans, and for me and my brother growing up, it was drilled into us that we were Newcastle. It's a big club and I can't wait to get started.
"I got a lot of experience last year in some big fixtures and I was really proud of the way I progressed as a player and a person. To now be here at Newcastle, the club that I've supported since I was a kid, I'm honoured and very proud to wear this shirt.
"It's very exciting. When you look back on last season and the way the team performed - not just the results, but the performances the team were putting in - it was amazing.
"There's so many talented players and we've got the Champions League now as well so there's many different competitions that I know the team will be wanting to do well in, and hopefully get a trophy or two as well."
While Hall is a natural left-back, he can also play in central midfield and on the wing, so adds plenty of depth to Howe's squad, in a season that promises to be hectic given the return of Champions League football at St James' Park.
Howe said: "I'm delighted to welcome Lewis to Newcastle United.
"He is a player we have tracked closely, as have a number of clubs, so it's very pleasing to secure him and to add a player of his quality, versatility and high potential to our squad."
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