Lloyd Kelly has rejected interest from several top European clubs in a five-year deal with Newcastle, The Pitch Prospect has learned.
Centre-back Kelly, who is a free agent following his departure from Bournemouth, will undergo a medical later this week.
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Among the teams that showed interest in Kelly was the Italian top club Juventus.
The defender, who can also play as a left-back, was signed for Bournemouth by Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
Now the two will be reunited at St. James’ Park, where the Magpies will once again aim to fight for the top four places.
Kelly played 23 times in the Premier League last season as his season was interrupted due to injuries.
After joining from Bristol City for £13 million in 2019, he made a total of 141 appearances for the Cherries, scoring three goals and setting up eight for his teammates.
He was so highly regarded that Kelly was named club captain in 2022 following the retirement of Steve Cook.
Previously, he was an England youth international and played nine times for the U20s and ten times for the U21s, with whom he also took part in two European Championships.
The free transfer signing came a week after Newcastle missed out on a similar deal.
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Howe also wanted to sign Fulham’s out-of-contract centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo.
However, the Magpies got there first and signed the former Man City Academy graduate as a replacement for the outgoing Thiago Silva.