Newcastle United Sign Spanish Forward Ayoze Pérez

Newcastle United has made its first permanent signing in a year and a half in Spanish striker Ayoze Pérez. The 20 year-old just completed a standout season and comes to Newcastle on a long-term deal for a transfer fee of £1.5 million.

Perez a Tenerife native stood out in the Segunda last season with his hometown club. His signing will add to Alan Pardew’s striker corps which struggled last season when Loic Remy who was with the Magpies on loan from Queens Park Rangers was unavailable. With Remy’s loan spell completed and Shola Ameobi probably moving on, Pardew was in the market for another striker.

 “I’m very happy to be here to start this new adventure,” said Pérez “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,” Perez told the club’s official website.

Pardew stated :

“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.”

Newcastle struggled down the stretch falling out of contention for a European place and ultimately finishing in 10th position. The failure to secure any permanent transfers last season ultimately led to the dismissal of Director of Football Joe Kinnear.

Pressure has been heaped on Pardew and Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to reverse the clubs fortunes. Newcastle is per published reports close to signing Jack Colback from Sunderland.