IT was a deadline day signing that took most people by surprise.

But Colchester United's capture of Premier League starlet Matty Longstaff has certainly been met with approval by fans.

The positive reaction among U's supporters to Longstaff's arrival from Newcastle United on loan until January says much about the potential and talent the midfielder has.

The 22-year-old shot to fame in October, 2019 when he scored a magnificent winner on his Premier League debut for the Magpies.

At 19 years and 199 days, he became the youngest player to score on his Premier League debut for Newcastle.

"I found out I was in the team after training on Saturday," he said afterwards.

"I dreamed about it last night - this is kind of how it went."

Having played a handful of games for Newcastle's under-21 side in the Football League Trophy in the 2018-19 season, he had linked up with the Magpies' first team having impressed boss Steve Bruce that summer.

And after that wonder strike which saw him burst onto the scene at the age of 19, it proved to be a memorable season for the U's new boy.

In total, Longstaff scored three goals in 15 appearances for Newcastle in the 2019-20 campaign, won the Premier League Goal of the Month award for his debut strike against Manchester United and was also nominated for the Goal of the Season accolade, for that fine strike against the Red Devils.

He also won his first England under-19 cap.

Gazette:

New arrival - Matty Longstaff has signed for Colchester United on loan from Newcastle United until January Picture: PA

In total, Longstaff made 15 appearances for Newcastle in his breakthrough campaign, nine of them in the Premier League.

First-team opportunities at Newcastle proved more limited the following season though, for Longstaff.

He played five times in the Premier League in the 2020-21 campaign, albeit against the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.

In the August 2021 transfer window, Longstaff made his first loan move away from St James Park, joining Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen.

But he made only five appearances with the Dons and at the end of the January window, he linked up with Mansfield Town in a surprise loan switch.

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Sibling success - Matty Longstaff (right) with his brother Sean Longstaff at Newcastle United Picture: PA

After signing for the League Two club, Stags boss Nigel Clough said he was delighted with Longstaff's attitude.

He told the Chad newspaper: “Credit to Matty Longstaff. Our biggest fear when someone comes from the Premier League is that he's a 'big time Charlie' coming to 'little Mansfield'.

“But he is a brilliant lad. The fact he wanted to come straight away speaks volumes for him as well.

“He was straight in with the players and has no sort of arrogance about him. He has fitted straight in and I think he is enjoying it.”

Longstaff made 16 league appearances for Mansfield, scoring six times and helping them reach the League Two play-off final where they lost to Port Vale.

He returned to Newcastle earlier this summer with Eddie Howe firmly in the hot seat, having taken over from Steve Bruce in November, 2021.

In July, Howe said he was open to allowing Longstaff to leave on loan again this season, after admitting competition for places in midfield was fierce.

 

Speaking last month, Howe told Chronicle Live: "We’ll see what comes up for Matty.

"What he has shown in pre-season is a brilliant attitude. He’s brilliant around the group, loves Newcastle - he’s Newcastle through and through.

"He’s got a great relationship with his brother and the lads love him.

"We would open the door to him to maybe get football for his own benefit. We’ll wait and see."

Now Longstaff has another chance to impress on loan in the EFL, this time with Colchester.

He is now in the final year of his contract at Newcastle and will be looking to make an impact during his short time, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Longstaff had been strongly linked with League One side Barnsley, prior to signing for the U's.

Now Colchester have a talented young player at their disposal who has played at the very top level but also knows League Two.

The U's will be hoping that is a perfect fit.