Newcastle United beat Premier League trio to signing of young England defender compared to John Stones
Newcastle United had been reported as frontrunners for the signature of highly-rated teenage defender Josh Kenchington from Barnsley.
The 15-year-old, who has been playing at the Under 18 level since he was 14, has now completed his move to Tyneside following the final checks by the Premier League after the deal was agreed last month.
The deal is thought to be worth over £350,000 according to Keith Downie, as Newcastle saw off opposition from Manchester United, Tottenham and Brighton to secure the youngster's services.
Kenchington becomes Ross Wilson's first signing as sporting director, although in truth, the deal was being worked on before his arrival.
Josh Kenchington has been compared to another Barnsley academy graduate, England's John Stones, and the youngster said an emotional goodbye to the club via Instagram after his move was finally approved.
“Where do i start? Five years at this great academy, filled with both ups and downs, a rollacoaster of emotions.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the club, including academy staff, players, and every coach along the way, thank you all.
“I will never forget the memories made at my boyhood club and never forget how much I progressed. But it is time now for the next chapter of my life, we move...❤️.”
Kenchington's message announcing his arrival at Newcastle was much shorter, but was posted alongside an image of him signing his contract at the club.
new beginnings
delighted to be here🖤🤍
Not to nitpick or anything, but the kid could do with staying in school until he learns how and when to use capital letters and punctuation.
Who am I kidding? Like he needs any of that. You don't need to be able to write perfect sentences when you're getting paid hundreds of thousands of pounds to kick a bag of air around a field, and if the Kenchington hype is to be believed, he will hit those heights for sure.
Welcome to the club, Josh.
