Newcastle United are close to sealing the signing of 14-year-old talent Eli Hall from Ipswich Town as they continue to pursue some of the country's best young players. Hall is expected to join the young Magpies at Little Benton, and the deal is now being ratified by the Premier League, a process expected to take between two and five weeks.
Hall became Ipswich's youngest ever player for their under-18s side earlier this year. He will join Newcastle and feature across the club's under-15s, under-16s and under-18s sides this term.
Academy Recruitment Strategy
Chronicle Live understands Hall is among four or five 'A-grade targets' the academy is looking at around his age group nationally, who they expect to compete with clubs from London and the North West to sign. They are being brought in to complement the local talent already in their academy system.
This policy worked successfully with the club's under-15 side last season, who won numerous trophies with recruits like Muawiya Ghanem (West Brom) and Lucas Flack (Leyton Orient) complementing local talents like Charlie Robinson. At under-16 level, Aristide Lesecond Yeutembip (Charlton Athletic) and Jayden Kouossu (West Brom) are England youth internationals, while Michael Mills (Port Vale) and Sam Alabi (Oldham) are among top talents at under-18 level to have followed the same path.
Future Hopes
Newcastle hope this season is the first time the policy will positively affect the under-21 side after the under-18s finished third in the Premier League North last season. There is also an internal hope that within two or three years, they will not only stand a strong chance in the FA Youth Cup but also provide a steady stream of players to the first team.
National League Cup Entry
After Newcastle under-21s learned their EFL Trophy opponents last week, Chronicle Live can confirm the young Magpies are set to enter the National League Cup for a second successive season. Teams have until close of play on Friday, July 3, to register for the competition, and Newcastle have done so. Official confirmation of their entry, drawn opponents, and fixtures should follow after that cutoff.
The competition was revived for the 2024/25 season with 16 National League clubs joined by 16 Premier League 2 sides, but it has drawn criticism from non-league clubs and supporters, with several sides already announcing they will not compete this year. Newcastle finished third in their eight-team group last season, beating Gateshead and Boston United, losing to Scunthorpe United, and losing out on penalties to Halifax Town, which saw them progress to the quarter-finals.
Stockdale Approach
Former Newcastle United Under-21s defender Ciaran Thompson believes Robbie Stockdale’s approach to coaching is helping Magpies youngsters prepare for senior level. Stockdale, former Middlesbrough and Tranmere Rovers full-back, initially worked alongside Under-21s lead coach Diarmuid O’Carroll before O’Carroll's departure to Sparta Prague. Stockdale had two spells as interim lead coach either side of Adam Lawrence’s time in charge last season.
Stockdale is now preparing for his first full season as permanent lead coach of the Magpies second string after his appointment was confirmed in March. Thompson, who left United’s academy setup earlier this week, told Chronicle Live: "In terms of a coach, I’d highlight Robbie Stockdale. Me and him really got on and he really prepares for the next step. Since Robbie first came in as the assistant to Diarmuid O’Carroll, for all of the boys, you could see the difference with their partnership together. They’d been in a first-team environment so they treated us like a first-team player. That will stand us in good stead for the next challenge."
Ex-Magpies on the Move
A number of Newcastle United academy players are looking for new clubs after their time with the Magpies officially ended earlier this week. Alfie Harrison, James Taylor, and Charlie McArthur were released after their contracts expired, although McArthur has now joined League Two newcomers York City following their promotion as National League champions.
Wing-back Ezra Tika-Lemba has also found a new club, joining North East neighbours Middlesbrough after spending the last two years with Newcastle. The 18-year-old made 13 Under-18s Premier League appearances for the Magpies and played and scored for Boro’s Under-18s after appearing as a trialist in a league game with Liverpool in May. Tika-Lemba is not the only new arrival at Boro’s academy; they also secured agreements with former Liverpool goalkeeper DJ Bernard and defender Cayden Cole, son of former West Ham United and Chelsea striker Carlton Cole.
One player staying at Newcastle is goalkeeper Tyler Jones, with the 18-year-old penning a new deal after successful loan spells with Ashington and Dunston UTS.
