Newcastle United transfers: A player released from Newcastle United’s academy has signed his first professional contract with a rival club.

Ezra Tika-Lemba has reacted to joining a new club following his release from Newcastle United.

The 18-year-old right-back was on a scholarship at Newcastle but was released by the club at the end of the 2025/26 season.

Before the end of the campaign, the youngster was granted permission to go on trial at Middlesbrough, where he started and scored in a 2-1 win over Liverpool Under-18s.

Tika-Lemba’s successful trial was then rewarded by his first professional contract offer. The deal was officially confirmed by Middlesbrough last week.

The statement read: “Right-sider Ezra Tika-Lemba has signed after a positive trial with the club.

“The explosive, attack-minded full-back scored in a 2-1 win at Liverpool last season, and brings experience from spells at Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle United.”

Reacting to the move, Tika-Lemba posted an image of himself at Middlesbrough on Instagram along with the caption: “Happy to sign my first professional contract @theboroofficial. Hard work continues.”

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Tika-Lemba was one of several scholars released by Newcastle at the end of the season. Will Anderson, Thomas Bryant, Jude Cogdon, Kayden Lucas, Alex O’Donovan, Matthew Taylor and Mo Waddani also left the club.

The Magpies also have a potential replacement for Tika-Lemba lined up at academy level with Kyle Healey-Matthews set to join from West Ham United.

The 16-year-old has been offered a scholarship at Newcastle to join up with the Under-18s squad for the 2026/27 season.

Newcastle United have their sights set on West Ham United academy defender Kyle Healy-Matthews.

Newcastle’s Under-18s side finished third behind Manchester City and Manchester United in the North section of the Under-18s Premier League in 2025/26.

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