Newcastle United transfers: The Magpies’ first permanent exit of the January transfer window has been agreed.
Newcastle United have agreed a deal with Scottish Premiership side Falkirk that will see 20-year-old striker Ben Parkinson join permanently.
Parkinson will leave Newcastle, having progressed through the academy system at his boyhood club since the age of seven.
The striker enjoyed strong scoring seasons at Under-21s level and made his first-team debut in the Premier League away at Bournemouth in 2023. But that remained his only competitive start for The Magpies.
“I went on to the pitch and although we were getting beat, I had a massive internal smile,” Parkinson said, reflecting on his debut. “Playing in the Premier League is something no one can ever take away from me. It was a dream.”
“I was so nervous. I was looking at Joelinton and Jamaal Lascelles, absolute units, and you’re like, ‘What am I meant to do?’ I had to use my brain. I felt I did myself justice.”
Newcastle had allowed Parkinson to leave last January amid transfer interest from Gateshead, but an ankle injury ultimately scuppered a potential move. A year on, Parkinson is now set for his first taste of regular senior football north of the border.
Parkinson recently admitted that he was open to leaving the club, whether on loan or permanently.
“It’s about playing now, building myself back up, assessing my options,” Parkinson admitted. “It’s about trying to make my own way in football.”
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Ross Wilson’s first permanent transfer agreed as Newcastle United sporting director
Parkinson will now join Falkirk with Newcastle set to receive a small fee for the striker. The Magpies have also inserted a sell-on clause into the deal, as per The Daily Record.
It’s somewhat fitting that the first permanent transfer agreed by Ross Wilson as Newcastle sporting director is with his hometown club, where he also started his career.
The transfer is set to be formally announced on Saturday, prior to Newcastle’s FA Cup third round clash against AFC Bournemouth at St James’ Park (3pm kick-off).
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Eddie Howe provides Newcastle United transfer latest
In his pre-match press conference ahead of the match, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe admitted club captain Jamaal Lascelles could leave this month.
The centre-back is currently not training with the first team with the view to potentially joining another club. After Parkinson, there are also other Under-21s players who will be allowed to leave this month, though most likely on loan.
Cathal Heffernan, Sean Neave, Leo Shahar and Alfie Harrison are among those who have been earmarked for potential loan exits this month. As reported by The Gazette, defender Heffernan missed out on Newcastle Under-21s 1-0 defeat at home to Middlesbrough on Friday due to a potential deal being lined up.
21-year-old Alex Murphy would have likely left this month too, though Newcastle’s current defensive injury situation will see him stay around the first-team squad as things stand.
“I think there's a lot that can happen, both ins and outs,” Howe admitted. “Depending on how we look as we go towards the end of January. I don't think I could give you an answer to that right now.
“There may well be players leaving that need to play or loans for their development, etc.”