Steve Bruce explains Newcastle United move for Sunderland midfielder
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The club last week signed the highly-rated midfielder on a deal that keeps him at St James’s Park until 2023.
Turner-Cooke is understood to have asked to leave Sunderland after his father John Cooke, the club’s kit manager and a former player, left in the summer without any public acknowledgement of his 35 years of service.
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Hide Ad“Look, the more good players we’ve got throughout the club, the better,” said Bruce, who handed 18-year-old midfielder Elliot Anderson his United debut against Arsenal at the weekend.
"Obviously, we’ve seen him at the Academy, and wanted to bring him in. We’ve brought him in, another one, and if he’s anything like the young kid (Anderson) we’ve seen (against Arsenal), then great. Let’s hope he’s successful with us.”
Turner Cooke – who had been playing for Sunderland’s Under-23 team – reacted on Twitter on joining Newcastle. The 17-year-old tweeted: “Proud moment signing a professional contract at @NUFC. Hard work continues. Thank you to the players and staff at @SunderlandAFC for the last seven years, good luck for the future.”
Meanwhile, Bruce was asked if he had a transfer update after Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
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Hide Ad“Not yet – nothing to report just yet,” said Bruce, who is looking at the loan market in this month’s transfer window.
Bruce has attempted to manage expectations this month by citing the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on United – and other Premier League clubs.