Zimbabwean born Zibusiso to sign for Newcastle United

Newcastle United are set to move for Brendan Joel Zibusiso Galloway, a player whose maturity impressed Everton supporters.

Galloway is eligible to play for Zimbabwe or England. He was named in the England U-17 squad for the Nordic tournament in 2012 by Kenny Swain. His first match for England was against the Faroe Islands in August 2012. He has played in England's 2014 UEFA Under-19 Championship qualifying campaign.

Just 20 years of age, his assured performances on the pitch at Goodison Park were matched last season by a willingness to speak his mind on matters off-the-field, too. In a season when Everton fans yearned for a dose of reality amid the mirages Roberto Martinez created in a season of stunted progress, Galloway's attitude stood out.

Thrust into the team as a teenager in the 2014/15 season when injuries ruled Leighton Baines out, Galloway delivered a string of composed performances.

Standing 6ft 1ins but with the lean physique of a long distance runner, he has drawn comparisons with Rio Ferdinand in the past. But he's heading to Newcastle for one reason and one reason alone: to develop him in an unforgiving division and environment.

Everton haven't sought specific assurances that Galloway will play every week but Rafa Benitez wants to see Paul Dummett challenged for the left-back slot. Galloway is a more natural footballer, able to get up and down the pitch and relatively comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Galloway will probably get a run in the side. Following Dummett's struggle at Craven Cottage, he may even start on Saturday. For Newcastle, that competition is intended to improve everyone.

Some supporters will find it difficult to countenance the idea of a one-year loan. The deal – more than £1million in a loan fee and paying his £20,000-per-week wages – might seem strange.

But Benitez wants to see the core of the squad strengthened. He wants players who have been guaranteed starts to feel others breathing down their necks. He wants insurance against the sort of injury crises that sunk Newcastle last season.

Galloway was signed by Martinez from MK Dons at the age of 18 – the player impressed by Everton's reputation for developing young players.

Born Brendan Joel Zibusiso Galloway in Zimbabwe but having left Harare at six years old, he is qualified to play for England. Indeed he was a regular right through to under-21 level, although Gareth Southgate overlooking him for the most recent qualifiers left Merseyside surprised.

Now the 20-year-old has been backed to cope with the twin challenges of establishing himself at Newcastle and coping with the Championship.

"From a personal point of view, he's a really, really lovely man and from a professional point of view, he's always willing to front up after a game," Phil Kirkbride of the Liverpool Echo says.

"He's not shy about being brutally honest. If his performance isn't good enough, he'll say it and it's the same with the team. I think that has impressed people and he's a really ambitious person – he wants to get better and his attitude is excellent."

Long-term, Everton see Galloway as a centre-back. The player himself fancies playing there.

"I think that's his long-term ambition. But going from a Premier League left-back to a Premier League centre-half is a big ask and Everton are looking to re-invest the John Stones money," he said.

"He's capable of doing that. He's athletic, he's quick and he's a confident player. When Steven Naismith scored his hat-trick against Chelsea, Galloway got an assist and he'd probably tell you himself he should add goals to his game at some point.

"He's certainly got ability. He doesn't over-elaborate but he's more than comfortable on the ball."

He ends up at Newcastle because Baines and fit-again Bryan Oviedo – once linked to United – both stand in his way at Goodison Park. For Benitez, it is a deal that bolsters his options in an area that has been a problem for United.