Newcastle United agree four-year deal to secure second summer signing - medical next

Newcastle United have reportedly reached a verbal agreement to sign Lloyd Kelly.

AFC Bournemouth confirmed last week that Kelly will depart when his contract expires on June 30. He has attracted interest from across Europe, including Roma and Atletico Madrid, but the Magpies are set to win the race. United have agreed a four-year-deal with the 25-year-old, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, with a medical set to follow.

Romano posted on X, formerly known at Twitter: “Newcastle have completed verbal agreement to sign Lloyd Kelly as free agent from Bournemouth, here we go confirmed! It's done and sealed with medical to follow for Kelly as Newcastle player, never been in doubt. Exclusive detail: contract to be valid until June 2028.”

The centre-back is well known to head coach Eddie Howe, who signed him for the Cherries 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.

The former England under-21s can also play at centre-back or left-back, with his versality, Premier League experience and free agent status hopefully equalling in a shrewd piece of business.

Although, one question mark over Kelly is his injury record, and United can’t afford another absentee in the backline with both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles out with ACL injuries until later this year.

Kelly is set to become Newcastle’s second summer signing behind Lewis Hall, who will join on a permanent deal from Chelsea after spending last season on loan at St James’ Park.