Newcastle United have beaten the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to the top talent’s signature.
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Newcastle United have agreed to sign teenage defender Josh Kenchington from League One outfit Barnsley.
It was widely reported earlier this month that Kenchington was Tyneside-bound with Newcastle fending off competition from several other Premier League clubs.
Kenchington is very highly rated, having already been compared to Manchester City and England defender John Stones.
Stones, like Kenchington, is a Barnsley lad and came through the Tykes’ academy before joining Everton for £3m after making 28 first-team appearances.
Stones, now 31, left his boyhood as an 18-year-old. Kenchington is departing at the far earlier age of 15.
Newcastle United beat Manchester United & Spurs to Josh Kenchington signature
As per Sky Sports News, Newcastle have beaten the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion to Kenchington’s signature and agreed to pay £350,000 plus “significant bonuses” to Barnsley.
An England under-15s international, Kenchington is already north of 6ft. He has been described as a two-footed centre-back and comfortable on the ball.
Josh Kenchington issue farewell message ahead of Newcastle United
Ahead of the move to Newcastle being made official, Kenchington has taken to social media to issue a goodbye message to Barnsley.
Kenchington wrote on Instagram: ““Where do I start? 5 years at this great academy, filled with both ups and downs, a rollercoaster of emotions.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the club, including academy staff, players, and every coach along the way. Thank you all.
“I will never forget the memories made at my boyhood club and never forget how much I progressed. But is time now for the next chapter of my life, we move...❤️”