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£51m signing at St James'
Newcastle United signed Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille for a reported £51 million on Tuesday, with the club saying he agreed to a long-term contract and will join a squad being rebuilt after the close-season departures of Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
“Newcastle United have finalized the signing of Belgium international Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille for a reported £51 million”
The deal was confirmed as Newcastle’s eighth first-team arrival of the summer, and Fernandez-Pardo is set to wear the number 20 shirt at St James’ Park.
Lille officials, cited by French sports media, said Fernandez-Pardo, aged 21, was absent from Lille’s recent match against Paris St-Germain and was instructed to train separately from the main squad while transfer negotiations were ongoing.
Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle said Fernandez-Pardo is “a highly technical player with explosiveness in his game,” adding that he “can score and assist” and that supporters “will enjoy watching him play.”
Player and coach quotes
Fernandez-Pardo said he was “really, really happy to be here and very proud to be at such a big club,” and he told Newcastle’s official media that he had “followed the team” and knew “it’s a fantastic atmosphere.”
He added that he spoke with the head coach and “he really showed how much he wanted me to be here,” framing the move as career progression that “made complete sense to come so I didn’t hesitate at all.”
Jaissle also described the signing as a fit for Newcastle’s attacking plans, saying “Matias is a highly technical player with explosiveness in his game” and that “He has already shown in Lille that he can perform on the big stage.”
The theScore report said Fernandez-Pardo missed Lille’s clash against Paris St-Germain last week and was told to train away from the rest of the squad while his future was resolved, before Newcastle completed the move.
Debut, shirt number, and context
Newcastle’s summer business also included a Premier League match context, with the Arab News report noting the Magpies recently defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 after drawing with Liverpool in their opening Premier League fixture.
“available to make his debut against Brentford at St James' Park this weekend”
The Northern Echo said Fernandez-Pardo will wear the No.20 shirt and be available to make his debut against Brentford at St James’ Park this weekend, after Newcastle wrapped up their summer of signings with the £51m arrival from Lille.
The New York Times put the fee at €60million plus add-ons and said Fernandez-Pardo joins on a five-year contract, while also stating he could make his debut in Saturday’s home game with Bournemouth.
ESPN’s transfer roundup also placed Fernandez-Pardo in the wider market picture, saying Lille value him around the €75 million mark and that Newcastle and Liverpool were both eyeing the forward.