LONDON (AFP)– English Premier League side Newcastle have transformed French winger Hatem Ben Arfa's loan move from Marseille into the first permanent signing of new manager Alan Pardew's St James' Park reign.
Ben Arfa has signed a four-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.
He has been sidelined since suffering a double leg fracture in a challenge with Manchester City's Nigel de Jong in October but had already done enough in four appearances to make Newcastle want to keep him in the north-east.
"I am absolutely delighted to be signing for Newcastle United on a permanent basis," Ben Arfa said in a Newcastle statement issued Wednesday.
"During my short time at the club, I thoroughly enjoyed playing for the team and for the supporters too. This is a great club and I am very happy to be committing my future to them.
"I am getting back to fitness as quickly as I can and am really looking forward to getting back to St James' Park, seeing the lads again and working with Alan Pardew and his staff.
"During my time out, I have been inundated with messages of support from fans and I want to repay them all with good performances on the pitch later this season."
Although Ben Arfa was initially recruited by sacked former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton, Pardew insisted he had wanted to make him a Magpies player on a permanent basis, amid reports of interest from other clubs.
"When I came to the club last month, one of my priorities was to secure Hatem on a permanent deal," Pardew said.
"The last thing I wanted was for us to lose him when his loan ended, so we are really pleased to have agreed that deal today.
"He's obviously a top player and he's shown that in France, at international level and in his short time here at Newcastle.
"I'm delighted to secure Hatem as my first signing and once he's back fit, I have no doubt he will confirm just what a superb player he is."
Ben Arfa, a product of the French national football academy at Clairefontaine, near Paris, made Newcastle fans sit up and take notice with a stunning winning goal against Everton in only his second appearance for the club in September.
Newcastle believe his pace and crossing ability can act as a source of goals for Magpies and England striker Andy Carroll.
Pardew's men, 1-0 winners away to Wigan last time out, are at home to relegation-threatened West Ham on Wednesday in a match where Newcastle will kick-off in 10th place, five points above the Premier League's bottom three.
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий