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Newcastle United have reportedly signed another player from AC Milan after completing the signing of Sandro Tonali.
Heffernan has won a contract at St James’ Park after appearing in under-21s friendlies against EFL clubs Carlisle United and Barrow last month, according to Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio.
The 18-year-old joined Milan on loan from League of Ireland club Cork City in February 2022, with the move becoming permanent the following summer. Heffernan has made 41 appearances for the under-18s.
Heffernan told Sky Sports earlier this year: “If Brexit hadn’t happened, I could probably be in England right now.”
“I think it’s a huge disadvantage for England; they’ll have to figure out how to counteract it in the future or they’ll pay the price.” As things stand, European teams will simply begin to take over by acquiring the finest players from all over Europe.
“I could be in England right now; I’m not saying I would be there, but I’d be a long way there.”
“I’d been on a couple of trials in Italy as well, and thankfully I landed this one in Milan, which changed my life in a way, so I’m kind of happy it happened in a way, but it would have been nice to go to England as well.”
Last month, United were connected with another talented Irishman, Inter Milan’s Kevin Zefi.
Zefi, 18, joined Inter in 2021 from Shamrock Rovers, and while he has yet to make a professional appearance, he did dazzle in the youth set-up last season, netting 16 goals in 23 games.
The Dublin-born teenager never played for Shamrock’s first squad, although he did become the League of Ireland’s youngest-ever striker in September 2020, at the age of 15 years and 206 days, after scoring for the club’s second string.
Zefi has represented Ireland at the under-15, under-17, and under-19 levels, where he has played alongside Newcastle academy teammates Alex Murphy and Reece Byrne. According to the Irish Examiner, Newcastle are still in early talks to sign the winger.