OFFICIAL: Chelsea defender Lewis Hall joins Newcastle on loan

OFFICIAL: Newcastle United have signed defender Lewis Hall on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

The club statement:

The deal includes an obligation for the Magpies to make the transfer permanent next summer based on performance-related criteria.

A boyhood Newcastle United fan, Lewis is the fifth arrival at St. James' Park this summer and will wear shirt number 20.

The 18-year-old full-back is regarded as one of Chelsea's most highly rated Academy graduates and has made 12 senior appearances for the Blues - including starts in both Premier League matches against Newcastle United last season.

He was named Chelsea's Academy Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season - just two years after Tino Livramento picked up the same accolade - and he was presented with the award on the pitch at Stamford Bridge before a 1-1 draw with the Magpies in May.

Lewis said: "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.

"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."

Newcastle United head coach, Eddie Howe, said: "I'm delighted to