Newly promoted Leeds United has secured the signing of midfielder Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United for £12 million, with potential additional add-ons.
The 27-year-old, who had a year remaining on his contract at St James' Park, has committed to a four-year deal with Leeds.
This transfer concludes Longstaff's 18-year tenure with Newcastle, a club where he progressed through the ranks.
"From my initial conversation with Leeds, I felt their strong interest in me," Longstaff shared with LUTV. "It instills a lot of confidence and makes you eager to repay their faith. It's a massive club, quite similar to Newcastle in many respects."
"Leaving Newcastle wasn't a decision I took lightly. It had to be the right move for my family and me, and Leeds feels like the perfect fit," he added. "Playing at Leeds has always been a challenge due to the vibrant atmosphere. I'm looking forward to having that support on my side now."
Longstaff made 214 senior appearances for Newcastle but saw limited action last season, playing only 787 minutes in the Premier League, primarily as a substitute under Eddie Howe. He also participated in five Carabao Cup matches, although he did not play in the final where Newcastle defeated Liverpool 2-1 to claim their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
Leeds had previously agreed on personal terms with Longstaff but saw an initial £10 million offer rejected by Newcastle earlier this week. Longstaff becomes Leeds' fifth signing this summer, following the acquisitions of defenders Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and German forward Lukas Nmecha.
Daniel Farke's team is set to kick off their Premier League campaign at home against Everton on August 18. They are scheduled to play a pre-season friendly against Manchester United in Stockholm on Saturday, followed by matches against Villarreal and AC Milan in August.
Longstaff Following in Family Footsteps
Born in North Shields, Longstaff joined Newcastle at the age of nine and debuted for the senior team in 2018 after loan spells with Kilmarnock and Blackpool. His impressive performance during his initial Premier League season caught the attention of Manchester United, although the club balked at the reported £50 million asking price.
Longstaff scored 16 goals for Newcastle, including a notable goal in a Champions League victory over Paris St-Germain in 2023. He was a regular starter in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons but lost his place last season. With Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton as the established midfield trio, Longstaff started only eight Premier League matches, none after Christmas.
The move to Elland Road offers the 27-year-old an opportunity for more regular playtime and allows him to follow in the footsteps of his uncle, Alan Thompson, a former midfielder for Bolton, Aston Villa, and Celtic, who also had a stint with Leeds towards the end of his career.
xml