Joe Willock has officially completed a permanent move to Newcastle United, with Arsenal reportedly pocketing £25 million from his sale.
Newcastle United have made an official statement to confirm that they have secured the services of Joe Willock. The 21-year-old has reportedly penned a six-year deal with the Magpies, who have paid £25 million to Arsenal to swoop him away from the Emirates on a permanent deal.
Joe Willock is leaving Arsenal after a 17-year spell at the club, having joined the Gunners in 2004 at youth level. After progressing through the ranks at the north London outfit, the Englishman broke into the first-team setup at the Emirates in 2017. After that, the youngster featured quite regularly for Arsenal, but could not progress significantly.
However, a loan move to Newcastle United in the second half of last season finally helped unleash the 21-year-old, who quickly became a key figure for the Tyneside club. In fact, in 14 appearances for the Magpies, Willock scored eight goals while becoming the youngest ever to find the back of the net in seven successive games in the Premier League.
In fact, Willock was a major reason why Newcastle not only staved off relegation last term but did so handsomely, finishing 12th in the standings. So, it did not really come as a surprise that the Magpies were keen on sign the youngster on a permanent deal. In fact, Newcastle even moved quickly enough in his pursuit to reach an agreement with Arsenal over a transfer.
It's time…
⚫️ ???? ?? ??? ??????? ⚪️#WillockAnnounced pic.twitter.com/M4pgfO7tTy
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 13, 2021
All that remained in the last few days was to finalise the personal terms, with Willock then agreeing to join Newcastle permanently. That has indeed proven to be the case now, with the 21-year-old being unveileed at St. James’ Park, thereby bringing an end to his 17-year association with Arsenal.
Upon completing the move from Arsenal, Willock expressed his delight, saying, “I’m buzzing to be here. I loved my time here last season and I’m really happy to be back and to be a Newcastle United player. Leaving Arsenal is obviously a big step, and I’d like to thank everyone involved with the club for all their support over the years, but this is the right move to the right club at the right time for me.”
As per the reliable Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle United have paid £25 million to Arsenal to land Willock, while BBC Sport add that he has signed a six-year deal at St. James’ Park. A new phase now beckons Willock and it will be interesting to see if the English midfielder can reproduce his heroics after leaving Arsenal permanently.
