Willock joins Newcastle from Arsenal for fee reportedly over £20M

Joe Willock moved to Newcastle United permanently Friday after impressing during a loan spell on Tyneside last season.

The 21-year-old signed a six-year contract after the Magpies paid Arsenal a fee worth over £20 million for the midfielder, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.

Arsenal said Willock started training at the club with his older brother Chris - who now plays for Queens Park Rangers - when he was just four.

"I'm buzzing to be here," Willock told the Newcastle website. "I loved my time here last season, and I'm really happy to be back and to be a Newcastle United player.

"Leaving Arsenal is obviously a big step, and I'd like to thank everyone involved with the club for all their support over the years, but this is the right move to the right club at the right time for me."

Willock scored eight goals in 14 Premier League appearances for Steve Bruce's side last season. He's currently the youngest player ever to score in seven consecutive matches in the competition; he's unavailable for Sunday's visit from West Ham United, so he'll try to extend his scoring streak against Aston Villa on Aug. 21.