In a summer where Newcastle United finally landed Sven Botman and smashed their transfer record for Alexander Isak, it was actually a talented Irish teenager who was the first player through the door.
Alex Murphy was sat at home when he was first told of the Magpies interest. The following day, the highly-rated defender was sold on the move after being convinced by a sales pitch on a tour of Tyneside.
Newcastle confirmed a deal had been reached with Galway United in May, two months before Murphy celebrated his 18th birthday. The transfer was hailed as a 'real coup' for the Magpies by academy boss Steve Harper, with Brighton and Celtic among the clubs also said to have held an interest.
