Wednesday 19 August 2015 20:44, UK
Newcastle have signed winger Florian Thauvin from Marseille on a five-year deal for a fee of around £13m.
The 22-year-old becomes Steve McClaren's fifth summer signing, and his arrival on Tyneside sees forward Remy Cabella leave the club for Marseille on loan for the season.
Thauvin made his debut for Grenoble in 2011 and has also enjoyed a couple of spells in Corsica with Bastia.
He joined Lille in January 2013 before moving to Marseille later the same year, where he went on to make 81 appearances and score 15 goals.
"I am delighted to be a Newcastle United player," Thauvin told nufc.co.uk. "I have come from France to a really big club and am very happy to be here.
"It is a big honour to know that Newcastle have been after me for such a long time and that they wanted me that much. They have put their trust in me and I am looking forward to playing for the team."
He is a perfect signing for this club – someone who is young, with great potential and is one of the best young players in Europe.
McClaren added: "Florian is a player the club have been watching for a long time and I am delighted that we have been able to sign him.
"He is a perfect signing for this club – someone who is young, with great potential and is one of the best young players in Europe. He is an exciting, creative talent who can score goals and make assists, and we believe he will have a very bright future at Newcastle."
The deal sending Cabella to Marseille includes an obligation to buy at the end of the season subject to certain criteria being met.
