Newcastle United to sign Lloyd Kelly

Newcastle United are to agree terms with centre-back Lloyd Kelly, currently playing for Premier League rivals Bournemouth. The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season, and will move to the Toon Army on a Bosman free transfer.

Kelly will become Newcastle's first signing of the summer, as the versatile defender opts to stay in the Premier League despite interest from abroad in his services. With over 120 league games for Bournemouth, Kelly has been a shining light for the south coast side despite only appearing a handful of times this season. Newcastle are expected to make Kelly a squad rotation player.

The St James' Park outfit's manager Eddie Howe knows Kelly well from his former club, and identified the defender as a transfer target at the beginning of the season.

A contract is likely to be drawn up in the next month, allowing Kelly to make the move North on June 1st when officially he is able to move for free and discuss terms with English sides.