LAST UPDATE | 22 Aug 2023
LEWIS HALL HAS joined Newcastle on a season-long loan from Chelsea with the option for a permanent deal for the defender, the northeast side announced today.
The clubs have been in talks over a move for the 18-year-old academy graduate, with Newcastle reportedly offering £28 million (€33 million) to their Premier League rivals.
Hall signed a new six-year contract to stay at Stamford Bridge earlier in August but Newcastle’s interest has led Chelsea to part with a defender who made 11 first-team appearances last season, including nine in the Premier League.
Boyhood Newcastle fan Hall told the Magpies’ website: “I’m very proud. Me and my family are Newcastle fans, and for me and my brother growing up, it was drilled into us that we were Newcastle. It’s a big club and I can’t wait to get started.
“I got a lot of experience last year in some big fixtures and I was really proud of the way I progressed as a player and a person. To now be here at Newcastle, the club that I’ve supported since I was a kid, I’m honoured and very proud to wear this shirt.”
He added: “It’s very exciting. When you look back on last season and the way the team performed –- not just the results, but the performances the team were putting in –- it was amazing.
“There’s so many talented players and we’ve got the Champions League now as well so there’s many different competitions that I know the team will be wanting to do well in, and hopefully get a trophy or two as well.”
Meanwhile, Carney Chukwuemeka has undergone surgery on the knee injury he sustained playing for Chelsea against West Ham on Sunday.
The 19-year-old, who scored his first goal for the club in their 3-1 defeat at the London Stadium, will be out for around six weeks.
The former Aston Villa midfielder struggled for game time last season after joining 12 months ago for £20 million, but has started both of Mauricio Pochettino’s first two Premier League games in charge.
He had surgery on Monday night after being withdrawn 15 minutes from the end of his side’s loss in east London, the first defeat of Pochettino’s tenure.
Earlier, he had equalised Nayef Aguerd’s headed goal when he cut inside and crashed a right-footed drive past goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
It was his first goal in 17 appearances in all competitions since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
