Newcastle complete £3m deal for West Ham defender Harrison Ashby

Newcastle United have confirmed the £3million signing of West Ham defender Harrison Ashby – who becomes their second deal of the January transfer window. 

The Magpies were interested in Ashby last summer after he impressed following his breakthrough under David Moyes but couldn’t get a deal over the line – but now Eddie Howe has pounced for the 21-year-old on deadline day. 

He follows Anthony Gordon through the arrivals door at St James’ Park following his £40m switch from Everton. 

Newcastle have completed the £3million signing of West Ham defender Harrison Ashby

The 21-year-old has signed a ‘long-term contract’ and is their second signing of the window 

His new manager Eddie Howe hailed his talent and said he had a lot of potential 

Ashby could not hide his delight after putting pen to paper as he posed in a Newcastle shirt for the first time on deadline day.

‘I could not be happier,’ he said. ‘I can’t get the smile off my face and it’s a proud day for me and my family.

‘I’m buzzing to come to the game tonight, to meet the fans and to get a taste of the atmosphere.

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‘I wouldn’t be here today without West Ham, so I thank all the coaches that I had from growing up to now, but I’m delighted to be here.’

Newcastle did not disclose the length of Ashby’s deal, but said he had signed a ‘long-term contract’.

His new manager Howe described him as ‘a talented player with a lot of potential’.

‘Harrison is a very talented young player with a lot of potential so we are delighted to sign him.

Ashby came through the ranks at Chelsea before joining the Hammers in 2010

‘He has very good attributes so we are looking forward to working with him in this exciting new chapter of his career.’

Ashby’s contract with West Ham was set to expire this summer before activating a one-year option, still allowing Newcastle to pounce for his signature on the cheap.

Ashby was a member of the Chelsea academy before making the decision to join the Hammers back in 2010. 

The Scotland U21 international made his Premier League debut last season and started in West Ham’s Europa Conference League win against Viborg in August. 

He also featured for 24 minutes in West Ham’s clash against Steau Bucharest in November.