EDDIE HOWE finally has his new No9 after Newcastle secured a £55million deadline day swoop for Yoane Wissa from Brentford.
The DR Congo international, 28, penned a four-year contract at St. James’ Park as he sealed his dream to play in the Champions League after his fall-out with the Bees.
GettyYoane Wissa has become Newcastle’s new No9[/caption]
GettyRelieved Eddie Howe finally has a striker after a nightmare summer[/caption]
Wissa and fellow new boy Nick Woltemade, a £69m club-record buy from Stuttgart, will now be tasked with filling the void left by Alexander Isak as the Swede sealed his £130m Newcastle exit to Liverpool.
His arrival ends what has been a frustrating summer for Howe as the Magpies missed out on Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko in their quest for a striker.
Wissa, who leaves the West London outfit with a record of 49 goals in 149 appearances, initially left the club’s pre-season camp in Portugal and then trained alone before deleting all references to the club on Instagram as he pushed to leave.
The star, who scored 19 Premier League goals last term, then released a statement on Sunday accusing the Bees of “unduly standing in his way” of a move to Tyneside in one final attempt to convince them to sell.
That led to Toon chiefs, who also considered a late attempt to try and get Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, re-opening talks with their Brentford counterparts.
Newcastle, who had two previous bids rejected, eventually came to terms on a package worth £50m up-front with a potential further £5m in add-ons.
The hotshot, who travelled from the capital to the North East by car, arrived on Tyneside before lunchtime to complete his medical before putting pen-to-paper.
He will take over the No9 shirt that has been vacant since Callum Wilson’s departure.
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He said after signing: “I’m really happy to be here and to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League.
“I’m very, very excited to put on the black and white shirt. I’ve got dreams, I’ve got faith, and now I will do my best to make it all happen. I can’t wait to get started.”
Relieved Magpies boss Howe added: “Yoane is a player who we have admired for some time and we’re delighted to have him on board.
“He brings proven Premier League quality, demonstrated not only by his goalscoring output but also the crucial work he does for the team.
“Yoane’s style of play will excite our supporters and complement our style of play – he has pace, power and an excellent work rate. He immediately makes us stronger.”
Both Wissa and the 6ft6 German giant Woltemade are heading off on international duty before returning to start training with their new team-mates ahead of their expected debuts at home to Wolves on Saturday 13 September.
Meanwhile, Wissa’s arrival almost resulted in striker William Osula joining Eintract Frankfurt, but the proposed £30m deal fell through.
Isak to Liverpool transfer saga timeline
JANUARY: First links to Liverpool emerge
FEBRUARY: £150million record fee mooted
MARCH: Isak denies Newcastle contract talk
APRIL: Eddie Howe hails Isak as “very professional.”
MAY: Howe insists Isak will not be sold
Last match in Newcastle shirt
JUNE: Transfer links to Liverpool heat up
JULY: Flies with Newcastle for Austria training camp
Left out of Celtic friendly
Liverpool hijack Toon’s Hugo Ekitike deal after making Isak enquiry
Doesn’t travel for pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, citing injury
AUGUST: Training by himself at Newcastle
Liverpool have £110m bid rejected
Isak stops training and goes on strike
Moves out of his apartment
Releases angry statement blasting ‘trust has been lost’
Newcastle respond by insisting he won’t be sold unless it benefits club
Misses Newcastle’s first three games of season, including 3-2 defeat to Liverpool
Newcastle relent and will accept £130m with 24 hours of window left
Liverpool have £130m bid accepted on Aug 31
SEPTEMBER: Isak travels to Liverpool for medical on deadline day morning
Liverpool announce British record signing on deadline day at 9.30pm – two-and-a-half hours after transfer window closes
Takes No9 shirt at Anfield
Newcastle release blunt 37-word statement confirming exit
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