IRISH YOUNGSTER Cathal Heffernan has joined Newcastle, the club have announced.

The 18-year-old centre-back signs having played at senior level for Cork City in 2021, before completing a move to AC Milan, departing Italy for the Premier League side after a season and a half playing at youth level there.

The Ireland underage international joins the Magpies having impressed for their U21 side while on trial last month.

The defender, who is the son of Irish Olympians Rob and Marian Heffernan, told Newcastle’s official website.

“I have become a much better defender during my time at AC Milan and I learnt so many things to improve my game during my two seasons in Italy which should stand me in good stead for the future.

“The goal, when playing Academy football, is to try and break into a first-team as quick as you can and, hopefully, I can do that at Newcastle United.”

Heffernan could be in line to make his debut in Newcastle’s Premier League 2 clash at Reading on Friday.

The Cork-born player becomes the second Irish player to join the club of late, after 18-year-old goalkeeper Reece Byrne, also an Ireland underage international, recently signed from Bohemians.