Newcastle United are reportedly set to sign Stefan O’Connor.
According to ESPN, free agent defender Stefan O’Connor has agreed a two-year deal with Newcastle United following his release from Arsenal.
The Magpies have snapped up Christian Atsu and Florian Lejeune this summer to boost their first team, but they could also look to the future by signing some young talents.
Stefan O’Connor in action for Arsenal
Stuart Findlay and Yasin Ben El-Mhanni were signed last summer to play for the Newcastle Under-23’s, and it appears that Rafael Benitez’s men have swooped to sign another prospect for the future.
ESPN report that free agent Stefan O’Connor has agreed a two-year contract with Newcastle having already been a part of the club’s pre-season training plans.
O’Connor, 20, joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace back in 2010, and he was a regular for the Gunners at youth and reserves levels before making his first-team debut as a substitute against Galatasaray in the Champion League back in December 2014.
The centre back wasn’t able to kick on from there and didn’t make another appearance for the Gunners, but did go out on loan to York City during the 2015-16 season and MVV Maastricht last term.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez
A former England Under-17 international, O’Connor is likely to start out life with Newcastle in the Under-23’s, though he may see a clearer pathway to the first team after leaving Arsenal.
Newcastle do have Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Grant Hanley, Chancel Mbemba and new signing Lejeune, but with question marks over Hanley and Mbemba after poor seasons last term, O’Connor will be hoping to push for the first team as he completes his move to Tyneside.
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