Football
10y

Newcastle seal deal for striker Perez

Newcastle United have made their first permanent signing for 18 months with the capture of Ayoze Perez from Tenerife for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of 1.6 million pounds.

Perez, 20, joins on a "long-term contract" after scoring 16 goals in 34 appearances or the Spanish Segunda Division club in his first season after breaking into the team,

Ayoze told Newcastle's official website: "I'm very happy to be here to start this new adventure. I'm very eager for it to begin and I'm very pleased to play for this magnificent club.

"Any football player would be interested in playing for such a club and I will earn my position to get in the first team."

Manager Alan Pardew added: "We're delighted to confirm our first signing of the summer and very pleased to have Ayoze at Newcastle United, as a number of other clubs were chasing his signature too.

"He had a terrific season in Spain last year and is a player who we hope to develop further on Tyneside. He's only 20 but has a very good eye for goal and that's a great asset for any young player to have."

The Magpies last signed a first-team player on a permanent basis in Junuary 2013, when they brought in Moussa Sissoko, Massadio Haidara, Yoan Gouffran, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Mathieu Debuchy. Since then only two players have moved to St James' Park, Loic Remy and Luuk de Jong on loan deals.

The capture of Perez may not be the signing of a high-profile striker the Geordie faithful was hoping for, especially with 14-goal Remy not returning to the club for next season.

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