Former Newcastle United youth team star Mackenzie Heaney is looking to get his career back on track after signing for Whitby Town.
The BetVictor Northern Premier League side have signed the midfielder for the 2020/21 season after a stint at West Auckland.
United fans will remember Heaney, now 21, as a player that was tipped to push for the very top and the youngster shared the same agent as Wayne Rooney.
Heaney came through the ranks with Sean and Matty Longstaff and played in the FA Youth Cup for the black-and-whites.
At one stage the youngster was the subject of an international battle between England and Scotland as he won caps for both countries, scoring twice for the Three Lions on 12 matches at youth level.
But Heaney, who hails from Walker, didn't progress from the club's Under-23 set-up and Rafa Benitez released the player in 2018.
Since then he has had to drop down to non-league and has played for Newcastle Benfield but he has now moved slightly higher up the pyramid with Whitby.
A statement from the seaside club read: “The Whitby Town management have had to act quickly to get this deal over the line and he promises to be an exciting acquisition for the Seasiders.”
Heaney was identified as a talent at United as a youngster and was even called up to first-team training where he rubbed shoulders with Hatem Ben Arfa.
Heaney spent some time with Norwich City after his release from Newcastle but could not win a permanent move.
