Everton have signed Newcastle United youngster Lewis Gibson.

The defender, 17, has agreed a three-year contract with the Blues and will link up with David Unsworth's Under-23s squad.

"Everton is a brilliant club and when the opportunity presented itself I wanted to be part of it," Gibson told evertonfc.com.

"The reputation has long been there that Everton brings through young players. You only have to look at the likes of Tom Davies, Kieran Dowell, Jonjoe Kenny and several others who are battling for first-team places to know this.

"I'm a player who is willing to put my body on the line, the kind of defender who likes to tackle and is not afraid. I'm excited to be part of things here and I want to continue developing as a player. This is where I want to be."

Gibson becomes the fifth summer addition to Everton's Premier League 2-winning Under-23s squad following the arrivals of defender Nathangelo Markelo, forwards Anton Donkor and Boris Mathis and winger Josh Bowler.