Newcastle have finalized the signing of Barnsley sensation Josh Kensington after pictures of his presentation leaked on social media. The Magpies secured Kensington’s services after several rounds of talks. According to Sky Sports, the 15-year-old was initially the target of an offer of £275,000 from Newcastle, but they ultimately settled on a transfer fee of £350,000.
The youngster wrote on Instagram: “Where do I start? The last five years at this amazing academy have been a roller coaster of emotions, with ups and downs. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the club, including the academy staff, players and all the coaches who have come along the way. Thank you.”
“I’ll never forget the memories I made at the club as a boy and I’ll never forget how far I’ve come. But now it’s time to move on to the next chapter of my life. We’re moving…”
The Oakwell prospect has been compared to England international John Stones and is over six feet tall. The defender is expected to link up with Newcastle’s academy later this year, barring any unforeseen complications with the transfer.
Chronicle Live claim that Newcastle beat off competition from Brighton, Tottenham and Manchester United to secure the teenager’s contract.
Newcastle have an established track record of discovering talent across the EFL through their youth scout Paul Baker, who previously facilitated the signing of Trevan Sanusi in 2023 and Sam Alabi from Oldham Athletic.
Academy chairman Steve Harper also emphasized the importance of recruiting young talent from EFL clubs. Harper said: “Being in a position to compete nationally to sign such young players shows how much the club values young talent and we are really grateful for the support of our board.”
“Through the hard work of everyone involved and the support of our owners, we are now in a position to provide high-level staffing, programs and pathways for our young players to develop. The opportunity is there and it’s up to the players.”
