Newcastle have been relatively quiet during the transfer window this summer. However, Alan Pardew has been able to make a few new additions to the squad. Hopefully, these players will make a positive impact allowing the club to build on last season’s 5th place finish.
More importantly however, the Magpies have been able to keep their key players at the Sports Direct Stadium, particularly Demba Ba. The Senegal international had a release clause in his contract, but today the deadline for this option has passed.
Reportedly, Newcastle are hoping to wrap up the signing of Lille defender Mathieu Debuchy by the end of the week. The long, drawn-out transfer appears to be finally reaching a conclusion.
A fee and personal terms are thought to have been agreed with Debuchy’s current club. Once he is on-board, Newcastle will then turn their attentions to the other end of the field with interest in Loic Remy and Andy Carroll still active.
It will interesting to see how Pardew uses the new players in the Newcastle set up next season. With a Europa League campaign on the cards, squad rotation will be a must.
Let’s take a look at Newcastle’s current confirmed signings.
Romain Amalfitano
French attacking midfielder Romain Amalfitano joined Newcastle at the beginning of Summer. The 22-year-old arrived on a free transfer after his contract with Stade de Reims expired.
In his last season in France, Amalfitano helped his club side gain promotion to Ligue 1.
He began his professional career at Evian, playing in 28 games for them in the 2009–10 Championnat National, finishing as Champions.
He then signed a 2 year deal with Reims, scoring 10 goals in 68 appearances for the club. The team finished 10th in his first season, then 2nd in the 2011-12 campaign.
Personally I’ve never seen him play – I’m sure this is the same for a fair few people. But considering the quality of the Newcastle Scouting department, I’m sure they’ve made another great signing.
Gael Bigirimana
Bigirimana became Newcastle’s second signing after the midfielder made the move from Coventry for an undisclosed fee.
The 18 year old has taken a strange route into Premier League football. Born in Bujumbura, he moved to England as a refugee having spent time living in Uganda.
Once in the UK, Bigirimana was taken on trial at Coventry City’s academy training facility. He then graduated from the Sky Blues’ youth set up to sign his first professional deal for the club in the summer of 2011.
The midfielder took part in the first teams pre-season preparations for the 2011/12 campaign. Bigirimana went on to make his professional debut in August 2011, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 Championship defeat to Leicester.
After featuring on a regular basis for Coventry throughout the rest of the season, the 18 year old obviously impressed Newcastle.
On the 6th July, Sky Sports News broke the news that Bigirimana had undergone a medical and signed a 5 year contract with the Premiership side.
The midfielder loves to sit in front of the back for and can pick the ball up and play. He’s often described as the Essien-type footballer in the centre of the park.
Bigirimana could become a key player for the Magpies during the next few seasons.
Curtis Good
Newcastle signed Curtis Good from Australian A-League side Melbourne Heart on a 6-year deal.
Good, an Australia Under-19 international, became the Magpies’ third summer signing after Gael Bigirimana and Romain Amalfitano.
The 19-year-old centre back made 25 appearances for Heart last term in his first season after graduating from the Australian Institute of Sport.
All three of Newcastle’s summer signings will be on show when they take on non-league neighbours Gateshead at the International Stadium tonight.
Romain Amalfitano, Gael Bigirimana and latest addition Curtis Good are part of a strong squad which travels across the River Tyne to take on the Blue Square Bet Premier outfit.