Newcastle United have completed the signing of young defender Ludwig Francillette, it has been confirmed.
The Magpies announced via their official website on Monday that Francillette, 20, will play for the Under-23s side this season and could make his debut in black and white stripes in the Premier League 2 clash with Manchester United on Friday.
Francillette was a free agent before joining Newcastle and has previously spent time with French side Dijon.
OPINION
It remains to be seen how this signing goes but it is unlikely to be one that will have any impact on the first-team. Newcastle appear to have just signed Francillette just to add another player to their Under-23s squad so it will be a surprise if he ever comes close to being considered by Steve Bruce, who already has plenty of defensive options in his senior squad. Newcastle need to start making improvements to their youth development because up until Sean Longstaff’s emergence earlier this year, there have not been any players who have made the step up permanently in several years. Hopefully Francillette can come good but he is someone who has been signed because there’s not really any risk involved. Even if he proves to be a flop, it’s not like much money has been wasted on him and the Magpies can just let him go and hope that someone can fill his spot in the Under-23s.
