Newcastle United have loaned Chelsea defender Lewis Hall, 18, and will make the deal permanent next summer.

A fee of £28m plus £7m in add-ons will be activated at the end of the season.

“To be here now at Newcastle, the club I’ve supported since I was a kid, I’m honored and very proud to wear this shirt,” Hall said.

“My family and I are Newcastle fans, and for me and my brother growing up, we learned we were Newcastle. They’re a great club and I can’t wait to get started.”

The deal for Hall, who went through the academy at Stamford Bridge, includes a sell clause for Chelsea if he leaves Newcastle.

He is best known for playing at left-back, but also on the wing and in midfield for Chelsea.

He made 11 appearances in all competitions last term, including nine in the league, and was voted Chelsea Academy Player of the Year in 2023..

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said he was “delighted” to sign Hall.

“He’s a player we’ve been following closely, as have a number of clubs, so it’s very happy to retain him and add a player of his quality, versatility and high potential to our team. team,” Howe said.

Speaking before the deal was confirmed, Howe said Hall would be the last player to be signed by Newcastle this summer.

Newcastle have splashed around £130million on Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Yankuba Minteh this summer.

Analysis

Harry De Cosemo, BBC Sport

Howe made it clear after Livramento’s arrival that Newcastle “would have to get creative” in the transfer market as they hunt for an additional defensive signing.

Financial fair play has dominated the talk at Tyneside this summer, and Hall’s signing of a loan deal is just a way to defer payment for a year to stay within the rules. Otherwise, it should be considered a permanent agreement.

Howe has loved Hall since his Premier League debut at St James’ Park. He will offer balance at left-back in an attacking sense, in line with Kieran Trippier or Livramento on the other flank.

The move frees up Dan Burn to compete for centre-back.

Newcastle learned in the summer that Hall was a player Chelsea would not sell, and once again they moved quickly to secure a deal when the opportunity arose.