League One side Port Vale announced tonight that they have permanently signed defender Lewis Cass from Newcastle United.
The 22-year-old was on loan at Vale Park for the first half of last season in League Two. He made 27 appearances, but his spell there was cut short in January after tearing ankle ligaments.
Cass was born in North Shields and joined the academy at Newcastle United when he was 12. He was on the bench for Newcastle but never made a first team appearance, though he made a considerable number of appearances for the Newcastle U23s.
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A message from Newcastle United said : “Everybody at the club would like to wish Lewis the best of luck for the future.”
Darrell Clarke, manager of newly promoted Port Vale, said of Cass : “We are delighted to be welcoming Lewis back to the club. His injury was a crushing blow for both him and the club but I’m happy to see that he has come back even stronger than before.”
He added: “During his recovery he has been the ultimate professional and has worked hard to make sure he will be back as soon as possible, that’s all you can ask for, he’s a good lad and I can’t wait to get working with him during pre-season.”
David Flitcroft, director of football at Port Vale, said: “Lewis has the right attitude and has the ability to succeed and I believe he can truly be whatever he wants to be. He’s the kind of boy that keeps his head down and works hard.
"There was a number of clubs in for his signature and it's testament to the atmosphere around the club that has been built by the manager and the staff that Lewis chose to continue his career with us.”
The switch will come into effect when his contract with Newcastle United expires on July 1. It is subject to approval by the league and FA.
