August 13, (THEWILL) – The transfer business between English Premier League sides Newcastle and Arsenal for the English midfielder Joe Willock on a six-year deal for £25 million was completed on Friday as the player went up north from London.
Although the 21-year-old completed a medical at Newcastle’s training ground on Friday morning, because he was not registered by lunchtime, he will not be in the Magpies team to challenge West Ham for a curtain-raiser victory in Sunday’s first EPL game of the season for Newcastle.
Getting the young player into the Newcastle squad on a permanent basis ahead of the season was a high priority goal in this window for manager Steve Bruce, Newcastle manager especially after the successful loan spell with him in the second half of the 2020/2021 campaign.
Willock was a rejuvenated star in Newcastle colours, finding the net eight times in 14 appearances while setting a new record by becoming the youngest player to score in seven consecutive games in just his mid-season time at the club. The only other player to do so was the Magpies legend Alan Shearer in 1996.
Bruce made it very obvious how important signing Willock was when he said the club was ready to “keep badgering away” at Arsenal as persistently as possible until the Gunners agreed with their terms to bring the Arsenal Hale End Academy graduate to Newcastle.
Pleased with their success, Bruce said: “We have had to be patient and persistent, but it has been worth the wait to bring Joe back. I want to thank Lee Charnley in particular for the work he has put in to make the deal happen. The club have gone above and beyond to make it possible.
“Joe is a wonderful young player with all the attributes you want in a midfielder, and he certainly proved that during his time with us last season. This is a move I know our supporters really wanted us to make, and I know they will join me in giving Joe a very warm welcome back to St James’ Park.”
Willock himself was just as pleased that the move sailed through and that he was going to continue his career at Newcastle. He said: “I loved my time here last season and I’m really happy to be back and to be a Newcastle United player.
“Leaving Arsenal is obviously a big step, and I’d like to thank everyone involved with the club for all their support over the years, but this is the right move to the right club at the right time for me.
“I only got one chance to play in front of a smaller number of Newcastle fans as a home player last season, so I can’t wait to step out in front of a packed St James’ Park and experience that atmosphere.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
