‘Great signing’ - Eddie Howe favourite delivers verdict on ‘inevitable’ Newcastle United transfer

Former Bournemouth defender Steve Cook believes Lloyd Kelly will be ‘a great signing’ for Newcastle United ahead of his proposed move to St James’ Park from the south coast club. Kelly is expected to join the Magpies on a free transfer upon expiration of his contract with Bournemouth and reunite with Eddie Howe after the pair spent just one season together at the Vitality Stadium.

Cook, who progressed through the leagues at Bournemouth under Howe and played alongside Kelly for the Cherries, believes his departure will be ‘really disappointing’ for his former club, but has tipped the 25-year-old to be a success in the north east. Cook, who currently plays for QPR, told BBC Radio Solent: “I think from a Bournemouth point of view, it’s really disappointing to lose a quality player like Lloydy. He’s physically excellent, lovely footballer, knows the football club as well. It’s a shame, especially on a free.

“I think it was inevitable, after the bid from Tottenham. Obviously it didn’t materialise, but I think it was inevitable. I think it’s a huge loss for Bournemouth, and a great signing for Newcastle.

“He’s physically amazing, he’s extremely fast, a specimen of a man. Technically he’s a very good footballer – he can play centre-half in a back four, left centre-half in a back five, and left-back, so he’s very versatile, at such a young age as well.

“Newcastle are getting a great player and Bournemouth are obviously losing one. It’s exciting for Lloyd going to such a huge club with Newcastle.

“I think probably the stature of the club, Bournemouth will eventually get there, they’ve got great plans for the training ground and the stadium. But I think that Newcastle, where they’re aiming – they just missed out on Europe this year, but making finals and playing in Europe quite recently is a massive pull.

“Lloyd probably thinks that if he was to sign at Bournemouth, it would be very difficult to leave, they’d be wanting a huge fee. The timing for him, he can leave on a free and go to a huge club, test himself pushing for Champions League football.”

He continued: “He’s joining a manager and a coaching staff that he knows extremely well, who will take his game to the next level.”