Tuesday, 22nd January, 2013
Newcastle United have confirmed the arrival of defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa from Montpellier.
The Magpies are thought to have paid €8M for the 23-year-old, who has penned a five-and-a-half-year contract at St. James’ Park.
The speedy defender has been handed the number 13 shirt.
Yanga-Mbiwa, who led Montpellier to last season’s Ligue 1 title as the team’s captain, was quick to express his delight at having signed for the English Premier League outfit.
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"It is an honour to be able to come to Newcastle United and have the chance to play in the Premier League", he told his new club’s official site.
"Newcastle are one of the biggest clubs in the league, and I’m going to try and give everything I have so that the team can do well.
"I have experienced a lot of positive things so far in my career and one of those is joining this club."
The centre-back joins a club in the thick of a relegation battle in the Premier League, with Alan Pardew’s men just two points and two places outside trouble.
Yanga-Mbiwa is being joined by Massaido Haidara, a full-back from Nancy, and striker Yoan Gouffran, who should sign later this week from Bordeaux.
The Magpies are certainly stepping up their recruitment efforts in the current window, as they bid to rise up the Premier League standings.
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