'Proud' - Teenager announces Newcastle United arrival & spotted with inspirational midfielder

Newcastle United have bolstered their academy with the signing of defender Eli Hall following his departure from Ipswich Town.

The 14-year-old announced his arrival at Newcastle on Instagram with the caption: “Proud to be a Newcastle player. Time to ball out.”

The youngster was then pictured with Newcastle midfielder Lewis Miley, who progressed through the academy and has made almost 100 first-team appearances for the club by the age of 20. He posted the image of himself with Miley along with the song ‘Inspiration’ by Future.

Newcastle have made four young first-team signings this summer with Ewen Jaouen, Sean Steur, Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba all below the age of 21 and technically available to play for the club’s most senior academy side. But they have also secured several signings at academy level as well, with Kyle Healy-Matthews joining from West Ham United and Afner Ca following his release from Levante.

There have also been several other young additions like Hall that won’t be officially announced by the club due to their age.

But Hall himself arrives with a respectable reputation from his time at Ipswich, where he broke a club record last season by becoming the club’s youngest ever Under-18s player. Back in March, Hall played a full Under-18s match against Birmingham City at right-back at age 14 years and 165 days.

He was offered a scholarship at Ipswich but opted to leave and pursue an opportunity at Newcastle. He will join up with Newcastle’s Under-16s squad for the upcoming season but could be given opportunities at older age groups.