Newcastle needs new additions to its squad to reach greater heights in a season that could mark the beginning of a new era for the Magpies after a historic 2024/25 season. That is precisely why the club has signed a promising young player named Josh Kenchington, convincing Burnley that Newcastle was the best move for his career.
According to Keith Downie, the English club will pay an initial fee of £350,000 plus substantial bonuses for the defender, who has been highly valued in recent months. The deal was finalized after their second offer, higher than the initial £275,000 bid (rejected by Barnsley), was subsequently accepted.
Understand the buzz surrounding Kenchington
Kenchington, who is only 15 years old, is seen as one of England's most promising defenders. Standing over 1.80 m tall and with excellent technique with both feet, the young defender has been playing in categories above his age for several years and attracted attention by playing for the under-18s when he was only 14. It is no coincidence that this player has been compared to England national team defender John Stones, both for his calm style with the ball and for his Yorkshire roots and advanced reading of the game, demonstrating a tactical maturity unusual for his age.
Precisely because of this, Newcastle's recruitment team acted quickly to ward off interest from clubs such as Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brighton & Hove Albion, all of whom were already monitoring Kenchington's development. Once the family relocation procedures required by the Premier League have been approved, he is expected to enroll at a local school in Newcastle and continue his development at the academy at the Little Benton complex.
This news should make Newcastle fans more excited considering that the club has only the 11th best record in the PL this season after seven games played. This weekend, as the competition returns after the international break, the challenge will be away from home against Brighton.