Newcastle United confirm FIFTH summer signing, which will have huge impact on their transfer window

Newcastle United have been busy in the transfer market, and things are set to become even more hectic at St. James’ Park

Newcastle United have already completed their fifth summer signing of the transfer window, as they look to conclude their business early ahead of the new Premier League season.

Indeed, it’s been a busy few weeks at St. James’ Park. Lewis Hall has completed his permanent switch to the club following last season’s loan spell, while Lloyd Kelly and John Ruddy have both arrived on free transfers.

Goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos also arrived at Newcastle United in recent days, coming the other way as part of the Elliot Anderson deal that took the midfielder to Nottingham Forest.

In addition to Anderson’s departure, five other first team players have left this summer – Jeff Hendrick, Matt Ritchie, Loris Karius and Paul Dummett have all exited the club following the expiry of their contracts, while Yankuba Minteh was sold to Brighton for £33m.

But Newcastle have completed arguably the most important deal of their transfer window today, with Paul Mitchell appointed as the new sporting director. Manchester United’s ultimately successful pursuit of Dan Ashworth left the Magpies needing someone new to oversee the club’s recruitment, with Mitchell deemed the best option.

Dougie Freedman from Crystal Palace was touted for a while, but Newcastle eventually settled on former Spurs man Mitchell. Most recently the sporting director of Monaco, Mitchell also worked at Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and RB Leipzig as head of recruitment.