'A no-brainer' - Fitzgerald on making Magpies move | OneFootball

Fitzgerald, who primarily plays as a right winger, progressed through his hometown club's youth ranks before making his first-team debut in June 2024 at the age of 17.

The Republic of Ireland Under-17 international completed a successful trial with the Magpies last summer and was delighted to put pen to paper on a deal with the club, following in the footsteps of Alex Murphy, who also joined Newcastle from Galway in the summer of 2022.

Fitzgerald, who celebrated his 18th birthday last month, told newcastleunited.com: "I'm very happy. I had a few conversations with different clubs but as soon as Newcastle came in, it was a no-brainer for me. I was on trial in the summer and I really liked the city, people and the atmosphere at St. James' Park. I want to play for fans who really enjoy hard work, goals and creative players.

"The project really attracted me. Steve Harper and Paul Midgley (Head of Youth Recruitment) showed me the pathway of players such as Alex Murphy, who has came through Galway's Academy and then signed for Newcastle like myself.

"I used to go to the same school as Alex but I was two or three years younger than him. I did look up to him because he was in Galway's first-team when I was at the Academy. Hopefully, I can follow in similar footsteps."

Fitzgerald has trained at United's Academy this month ahead of his confirmed move to Tyneside and, whilst on trial, the promising youngster also spent pre-season with Newcastle's under-21s squad, completing work in Spain last summer.

The 18-year-old forward revealed his time spent away with his new teammates proved beneficial ahead of his permanent switch to the club and is relishing the challenge of adapting to English football as well as moving away from home for the first time.

"It was a tough week of training in Pinatar, getting fit in the heat, and also getting to know the lads," Fitzgerald explained. "They were very welcoming with me and the likes of Heff (Cathal Heffernan), who is also Irish, helped to introduce me into the group and I'm getting very well with them.

"Coming from Ireland into an English academy, there's a massive difference in quality and training. Back home, I was only training three nights a week whereas, at Newcastle, I'm training five to six mornings and then playing a match at the weekend.

"It's a massive step up but I think I've embraced it well. I've already completed a few weeks of training with the under-18s and under-21s squads so I think I've already come on as a player in terms of quality but also as a person, getting to know the staff and players.

"Being away from home can be tough but, with the international team, I'm away a lot in different countries so I'm used to that but this is different because I'll be away for a lot of months without getting home.

"My host family is very nice, though, and I'm really enjoying it. I would say the Geordie people are similar enough to the Irish and are very friendly so I like being among them."

Fitzgerald is hopeful of making a positive start on Tyneside and has his sights set of making his full professional debut with Eddie Howe's side.

He added: "Short-term, I want to show the Academy why they signed me and try to get goals, assists and win games. In the long-term, it would be getting into the under-21s squad, playing well for them and showing my qualities.

"Hopefully, the gaffer can give me a chance in a few training sessions to prove myself to try and get into first-team matchday squads and, hopefully, make my debut for Newcastle United in the future."