Newcastle United’s out-of-favour academy product Matty Longstaff joins Colchester on loan

Newcastle United academy product Matty Longstaff has secured a deadline day move to League Two side Colchester United. The move is subject to all necessary paperwork being completed.

Longstaff has been out-of-favour at the top-flight side after originally bursting onto the scene when he scored against Manchester United on his Premier League debut in 2020.

He went on to make 20 appearances for the Magpies, scoring three goals in total, but has failed to make a first-team outing since 2021.

Since then Longstaff has been shelved out on loan to Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen and League Two outfit Mansfield.

The 22-year-old was wanted by a host of EFL sides but has chosen to join Colchester on a short-term loan move until January.

A previous loan spell during the second half of last season at Mansfield saw Longstaff score six goals in 16 League Two appearances on the way to the play-off final at Wembley. 

The Newcastle prodigy originally returned to the Premier League side for the start of pre-season but has been deemed surplus to requirements by boss Eddie Howe.

Longstaff secures his move back to the fourth division until January and will be available for selection for Colchester’s weekend encounter with Hartlepool.

The central midfielder was also wanted by League One side Barnsley but completed his move to the Us on Thursday as he became the club’s 10th summer arrival.