A general view of Newcastle United supporters waiting outside the stadium for news of the latest developments in the sale of the club to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund for 300 million-pound ($408 million) takeover in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England Thursday Oct. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Former West Ham United academy winger Ezra Tika-Lemba has signed a scholarship with Newcastle and will join The Magpies’ academy for the 2024-25 season.
Tika-Lemba confirmed his deal this week as he posted an image of himself holding up a Newcastle shirt with his name on the back via Instagram with the caption: “Happy to sign my Scholar at @nufc. Thank you to all those who supported me throughout.”
It continues the annual influx of academy arrivals at Newcastle with Aaron Epia and CJ Afumuzor also agreeing scholarships at the club after leaving Everton and Portsmouth respectively.
Goalkeeper Tyler Jones, striker Kayden Lucas, winger Guy Bloomer are among others making up Newcastle’s group of 2024 scholars.
Newcastle are also set to sign 16-year-old midfielder Rory Finneran from Blackburn Rovers. Finneran made his first-team debut for Blackburn in the FA Cup back in January and has featured regularly for the club’s Under-21s side.
He will sign an initial scholarship at Newcastle but will be eligible to agree his first professional contract once he turns 17 next February
Middlesbrough striker Ajay Matthews is also weighing up his options following interest from Newcastle and several other Premier League clubs. The 18-year-old scored 16 goals in 17 starts for Boro at youth level during the 2023-24 campaign and also made his senior debut as he came off the bench in a 4-3 defeat to Leeds United back in April.
