‘It was the boy’s decision’ – Moyes washes hands of defender signed by Newcastle | OneFootball

Newcastle have followed up their signing of Anthony Gordon from Everton by securing Scotland Under-21 full-back Harrison Ashby from West Ham for a reported £3m.

Ashby would have been out of contract this summer so West Ham were happy to receive a fee that would probably not have been matched at a tribunal.

Ashby, 21, has been signed with an eye on the future and manager Eddie Howe told the club’s official website: “Harrison is a very talented young player with a lot of potential so we are delighted to sign him.

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

Ashby, who has signed a long-term contract, added: “I could not be happier. 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.

“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.”

Ashby has made seven appearances for the Hammers but made it clear that he would not sign a new contract after his chances were few and far between in east London.

“It was the boy’s decision,” Moyes told the press after West Ham’s FA Cup win over Derby on Monday night.

“The boy didn’t want to stay and he only had six months left on his contract. We had an offer from Newcastle in the summer and he wanted to go then.

“But we chose not to in the hope that we could get him to stay but he’d made his mind up so that was the reason why.”

Ashby has made only two first-team appearances this season for the Hammers – both in Europe – and has not even made it as far as the bench in the Premier League since August.