Confirmed: Goalkeeper flies in to Newcastle for trial in bid to secure permanent transfer
By Alex Taylor
Newcastle have handed 16-year-old goalkeeper Otto Huuhtanen a one-week trial at the club in order to earn a permanent contract.
The highly rated youngster will start his trial on Sunday and is hoping to secure a move away from Finnish outfit Ilves Edustus to secure a move to in Tyneside.
The Finland Under-16 international is contracted to his current club until 2018 but has been given special dispensation in order to complete a trial for the Magpies.
Huuhtanen completed a similar trial at Norwich City in March but the Canaries opted not to sign him.
Ilves president Toni Hevonkorpi spoke regarding Huuhtanen’s week away from the side to secure a move to Newcastle.
He told the official club website: “Of course it is great to see that the development of Otto’s has been noticed and even by foreign clubs.”
“Otto now travels to England for the second time and I hope this camp will go just as well as the first one.”
Rafa Benitez has already made several additions to his squad this summer as he readies his side for a battle to return to the Premier League including, Matt Ritchie, Dwight Gayle, Matz Sels and Jesus Gamez.
In other Newcastle news, the Magpies have made an improved £4million bid for Blackburn defender Grant Hanley after two offers were rejected by the club.