NEWCASTLE UNITED have confirmed the signing of Santiago Munoz.

Munoz, a Mexico Under-23 international, has joined the Magpies on an initial 18-month loan deal from Mexican side Santos Laguna.

The loan deal contains a clause for a potential permanent transfer if things go well, and Munoz will initially link up with Newcastle's Under-23s team.

The 19-year-old, who was born in El Paso in the United States, scored three goals and claimed three assists in 13 games in the Mexican top-flight last season.

Heย helped Mexico win the 2019 CONCACAF Under-17 Championships, scoring five goals, and was part of the squad which finished as runners-up at the 2019 Under-17 World Cup in Brazil.ย 

Munoz's transfer is already causing a stir given that the teenager's name closely resembles the name of Santiago Munez, the character that joined Newcastle United in the fictional film Goal.