Transfer news: Luuk De Jong has completed a loan switch to Newcastle United
Newcastle have signed striker Luuk De Jong on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach for the rest of the season.
Last Updated: 30/01/14 12:16pm
And the Magpies have also made a 'substantial but undisclosed' bid for Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier, who they see as a replacement for Yohan Cabaye, who has been sold to Paris St Germain for around £20m.
De Jong, a 23-year-old Dutch international who was prolific for FC Twente before moving to Germany in 2012, will sport the number 18 shirt and could make his debut against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby on Saturday.
De Jong said: "Newcastle is a great club and I have a good feeling about it. I am really looking forward to playing here.
"I came here six years ago with my uncle and we were really impressed by the atmosphere, the fans and everything.
"I've now been to the training ground, seen the stadium inside and everything looks pretty good."
The forward has not started a single game for Monchengladbach this season but he could be needed against Sunderland because Loic Remy was sent off against Norwich on Tuesday, a game Papiss Cisse and Yoan Gouffran had to sit out.
"I feel good," De Jong added. "I have no problems. We had a training camp in Germany with Borussia Monchengladbach. I felt good, I played 90 minute games, and I am ready to play.
"I know what my qualities are and think I can show them here. Especially with the way Newcastle have of playing, a lot of balls into the box.
"I'm a typical striker in the box who can get in the right position and score goals but I can also play as a target man and lay balls off to other players.
"I'll see what happens this half-year and hopefully I can stay longer."
Newcastle's director of football Joe Kinnear added: "We are delighted to bring Luuk de Jong to the club.
"He has an excellent pedigree and will add significantly to our striking options.
"We have been watching him for a little while now and I am sure he will prove to be a valuable acquisition for us.
"He's a great character and a proven goalscorer, who I know is very keen to replicate the prolific form he showed for FC Twente in the Eredivisie."
Meanwhile, Newcastle have identified 23-year-old French international Grenier as the man they want to replace Cabaye.
Newcastle have been keeping tabs on the highly-rated midfielder for a number of months and are hopeful Lyon can be persuaded to part with him.
