Newcastle United have completed their first signing of the summer by bringing in 17-year-old defender Alex Murphy from Galway United.
The youngster, who turns 18 in June, will join up with Elliot Dickman's Under-23's side on Tyneside in July.
It is reported by ChronicleLive that the Magpies beat off competition from the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion to secure Murphy's signature, who has come through the academy at the Irish First Division outfit.
Speaking after securing the deal for Murphy, Newcastle academy manager Steve Harper said: "We are very pleased to have secured a deal to bring Alex to Newcastle United.
"He is a very promising young player who has attracted a lot of attention from clubs. It is a real coup for our academy and is a testament to the direction the club is going in under our owners.
"I would like to thank everyone involved with Galway United for their assistance. The club has been a pleasure to deal with and I wish John Caulfield and his players the very best of luck for the rest of the season."
Murphy has previously captained the Republic of Ireland Under-18s side, before representing his country with the Under-19s squad back in March.
Matthew Tranter
