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Newcastle United have agreed the signing of highly-rated Irish youngster Kyle Fitzgerald from Galway United.
The talented winger was reported to have agreed terms with the club at the end of last summer, and will officially join the Magpies following his 18th birthday on 28th January 2025.
Here's what we know about the latest young Irishman to join the ranks on Tyneside ☘️.
Born and raised in Claregalway on the outskirts of Galway City, Fitzgerald joined the Galway United U14 squad from the well-known Mervue United youth academy who also produced the likes of Aaron Connolly, Greg Cunningham and Ryan Manning to name a few.
Fitzgerald has represented Ireland youth teams from U15 through to U19 level, and was part of the U16 side which won the Victory Shield international tournament in 2022 which Ireland have now won three times in a row since.
Having impressed as he progressed through the Galway United Youth Academy ranks, Fitzgerald was handed a professional contract in December 2023 at just 16 years old, with manager John Caulfield stating "It’s fantastic for the club, he’s a local lad coming through with lots of talent...Kyle’s an exciting technical player, he’s doing really well with the Ireland teams too. We’re looking forward to working with Kyle and to continue his development and deliver on his undoubted potential with Galway United"
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"Very proud moment for me and my family to sign a professional contract. I’ve been at the club since U14s level, Johnny Glynn and Martin Devlin were fantastic for me in my development in the Academy and Galway United helped me develop as a player. There’s a big step-up now for the first team, especially because I’m only sixteen years of age, but I feel capable and can’t wait to get started". Kyle Fitzgerald on signing his first professional contract at Galway United FC.
Predominantly left-footed, Fitzgerald has played both wide on the left and in a central role for club and country, with excellent pace and ball control making him a nightmare for opposition defenders (check out his full highlight reel here). His confidence on the ball as well as fearlessness in taking on a man have regularly made him stand out at underage level, often drawing fouls and frequently winning penalties and free-kicks in dangerous areas.
Kyle made his senior debut for Galway Utd at age 17 coming on as a late substitute in a 3-0 home win over Drogheda Utd, before picking up his second appearance a month later in a 6-0 cup victory over Longford Town.
Fitzgerald will join fellow countrymen Alex Murphy, Cathal Heffernan, Rory Finneran and Reece Byrne in the academy ranks at Newcastle having also been linked with both Brighton and Wolves last summer - we Irish Mags hope to see him in a black and white shirt very soon!
Good read, thanks Paul.
Great to see the amount of young, very promising Irish lads come through the doors in the last 2 years. Hopefully some of them can make a real impact over the next few seasons.