London (AFP) – Premier League strugglers Cardiff signed Nantes striker Emiliano Sala for a club record fee reported to be around £15 million ($19 million) on Saturday.

Cardiff confirmed the deal just hours after a damaging 3-0 defeat at Newcastle that saw the Bluebirds drop into the relegation zone.

Argentina-born Sala, who had been at Nantes since 2016, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract which is subject to receiving international clearance.

“I’m very happy to be here. It gives me great pleasure and I can’t wait to start training, meet my new team-mates and get down to work,” Sala said.

“For me it feels special (to be the club’s record signing). I have come here wanting to work and to help my team-mates and the club.”