'Confirmed' - Newcastle United medical taking place today as five-year-deal agreed

Lloyd Kelly is due to undergo his medical at Newcastle United on Wednesday ahead of finalising his move.

The 25-year-old has agreed a five-year contract, including an option of a further year, to become the Magpies’ second summer signing. Lewis Hall is technically the first after Newcastle met the performance related criteria to turn his loan from Chelsea into a permanent one.

All being well Kelly, who had attracted interest from the likes of Roma and Atletico Madrid, will officially join on July 1 when his contract at AFC Bournemouth officially expires.

The former England under-21s international is well known to Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, who signed him for Bournemouth for £13million from Bristol City in 2019. Kelly made 141 appearances for the South Coast club and was captain when they won promotion back to the Premier League in 2021-22.

He can also play at centre-back or left-back, with his versatility, Premier League experience and free agent status hopefully equalling in a shrewd piece of business.

Howe is currently without two central defenders, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, until later this year because of ACL injuries. United had hoped Tosin Adarabioyo would join Kelly on Tyneside, however the former Manchester City youngster chose Chelsea instead.

As a result, Newcastle remain in the summer market, which officially opens on Friday, for a centre-back but are also keen to bring in goalkeeper, right forward and striker.