Newcastle United triggered January clause for midfielder – permanent deal now close

Newcastle United midfielder Jamie Miley is closing in on a permanent move to Hartlepool United.

The 21-year-old spent the first half of the campaign on loan at League Two side Newport County, but injuries restricted him to just eight appearances, only three of which were starts.

Miley was recalled on January 15 after the Magpies activated a break clause in his loan agreement. He featured for the under-21s a few days later in their 4-2 defeat to Southampton but has been left out of the squad for the last two matches against Gateshead and Everton.

Miley, who is into the final six months of his contract, has been training with National League side Hartlepool and is understood to have earned a permanent deal. A move will be finalised this week, according to our sister title Shields Gazette.

Newcastle under-21s lead coach Diarmuid O’Carroll said last week: “Jamie’s done brilliant, he came back in. He played [at Southampton]. He was a shining light in the performance.

“He’s been brilliant around the group. He’s a really good boy. Obviously gets on really well with the lads.

“A talented footballer, like everything, just wants to find a home and get a run of games and get a little bit of confidence in the right team around him. So whether that’s here for the second half of the season or out again or wherever he goes.

“But he’s someone that we believe has got talent and we’d like to push him on and see where he goes next.”

The Stanley-born midfielder, one of three Miley’s at the club after brothers Mason and Lewis, has been on the books at Newcastle for 11 years. He signed his professional contract in 2022.

Miley has never made a competitive first-team appearance but did feature for Eddie Howe’s side pre-season. He earned praise from the Magpies’ boss after impressing in the 4-0 win over Girona at St James’ Park.