Reece Byrne has expressed his delight at signing for a 'big club' after confirming his transfer to Newcastle United. The promising Irish goalkeeper will join from Bohemians after announcing the transfer via social media on Wednesday night.
The 18-year-old has been pictured at the Magpies' academy, although the club are yet to confirm the deal for the teenager. Byrne will link up with fellow Republic of Ireland youth international Alex Murphy, and is United's first signing of the summer as the academy overhaul continues.
The goalkeeper has made one senior appearance for the current leaders of the League of Ireland, and has represented his country at under-19 level. Byrne shared a picture of his contract signing on Instagram and wrote 'proud day for me and my family to sign for such a big club like Newcastle, onwards and upwards from here'.
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Byrne will likely be the first of several new academy signings this summer if Newcastle replicate last season's recruitment drive. Murphy was joined in the same window by Jordan Hackett, Charlie McArthur, and Jude Smith, with former West Ham prospect Amadou Diallo signing as a free agent in September.
Newcastle's under-21s have endured a miserable campaign to date, with the young Magpies winless in Premier League 2 since October. Ben Dawson replaced Elliott Dickman in the hotseat in January, and the former first-team development coach has already hinted at an overhaul of his squad ahead of the new season.
* Newcastle United U21s face Norwich City U21s in their final home Premier League 2 fixture of the season on Monday. You can follow all of the updates here.
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