Newcastle United arrange loan deal for midfielder with Champions League ‘experience’

James Huntley, a youth player for Newcastle United, has signed a loan deal with Spennymoor Town of the National League North for the rest of the season.

Huntley signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2022 after initially enrolling in the Magpies’ program at the age of eight.Despite being a member of Eddie Howe’s team for the Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain last season, the 20-year-old is yet to make a senior game for Newcastle. After a contentious Kylian Mbappe penalty cost United a historic victory, he was placed on the bench.Huntley’s career begins with a loan move to The Brewery Field.

Following the transfer deadline on Monday, the agreement was formally disclosed. Non-league clubs, on the other hand, are exempt from that rule and have until the last Thursday of March to sign players.

Huntley joins Alex Murphy (Bolton Wanderers), Charlie McArthur (Carlisle United), and Travis Hernes (Aalborg BK) as the fourth Newcastle youth to depart on a temporary basis this winter.Spennymoor manager Graeme Lee stated, “James is a player who has been on our radar for a little while, and we’re impressed with what we’ve seen from him.”

He is a player who can contribute in a variety of roles and has a strong background after rising through Newcastle’s ranks.

Since Isaac Fletcher left, we have obviously been eager to try and bolster our midfield, and James is someone who fits the bill in that respect.

“We are thrilled to have him on board and are looking forward to working with him. It shows what kind of character he is that he is with a Premier League team, but he wants to come out on loan to us and play games.”

Huntley might make his debut on Saturday afternoon when the Moors visit Hereford in the National League North.