Newcastle agree deal to sign Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth on a free transfer... with the Magpies also closing in on landing fellow defender Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham

Newcastle have reached an agreement to sign Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer.

Kelly has spent the last five years at the Cherries after joining from Bristol City, but his contract is set to expire at the end of next month.

The Magpies have moved quickly to secure his signature, and Mail Sport understands a deal is now in place for the 25-year-old to move to St James' Park this summer.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe - who managed Bournemouth across two separate spells between 2008 and 2020 - is a long-term admirer of Kelly, and is finally set to land his man.

Kelly made 23 league appearances for Bournemouth in the 2023-24 season, and is capable of playing at centre back or left back.

His addition will bolster Newcastle's defensive ranks after centre backs Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles both picked up ACL injuries in the final months of the season that are set to rule them out until the end of 2024.

Howe is keen to bring in more defensive reinforcements in the off-season, with Newcastle also making a move for Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo.

Adarabioyo is out of contract at Craven Cottage this summer, and has also attracted interest from Manchester United.

However, Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Wednesday that Newcastle are closing in on signing the 26-year-old, with the framework of his contract now in place.

Barring any last-minute stumbling blocks, Adarabioyo is expected to be Newcastle's first signing of the summer, with a deal expected to be concluded in London in the coming days.

Kelly should follow him through the door on Tyneside, as Newcastle look to make a fast start to the summer transfer window.

Newcastle's season ended on Wednesday after they played a friendly against Tottenham in Melbourne, just three days after the final Premier League game.

Howe's team won 5-4 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 in normal time.

The North-East outfit will also have a keen eye on this weekend's FA Cup final as they look to discover whether they will be playing in Europe again next term.

A Manchester City victory would confirm Newcastle's place in the Europa Conference League, but if Manchester United can pull off an upset win at Wembley they will take Newcastle's spot in Europe.