Jamal Lewis joins Watford on season-long loan with purchase option

25-year-old Northern Ireland international left-back Jamal Lewis has joined Championship club Watford on a season-long loan, with the Vicarage Road club having an option to make the deal permanent.

The defender arrived at St. James' Park from Norwich City in September 2020. He has since made 36 appearances in all competitions and reached 30 senior caps for his country.

Lewis was always going to be surplus to requirements for Eddie Howe this summer, with Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Paul Dummett, and perhaps even Alex Murphy now ahead of him in the left-back pecking order.

His exit should get the ball rolling on further senior outgoings for Newcastle in this transfer window, with Karl Darlow on the verge of a permanent transfer to relegated Leeds United, and Harrison Ashby looking set for a loan move without a purchase option to Championship side Swansea City.

Kell Watts has already left to join Wigan Athletic in League One today, which looks likely to end his 15-year association with the Magpies due to his contract expiring next summer, while Isaac Hayden, Jeff Hendrick, and Ryan Fraser are all set for moves away too. Depending on our incoming business, Javier Manquillo could also be returning to La Liga.