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Newcastle United has officially announced the signing of winger Mathias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille in a deal worth £51 million plus add-ons. The Belgian international has penned a five-year contract with the Magpies and will wear the number 20 shirt.
This transfer brings Newcastle's summer spending to a staggering £275 million. Pardo becomes the eighth new acquisition for the Tyneside club.
“I am truly delighted to be here and incredibly proud to join such a big club. I spoke with the head coach, and he made it clear how much he wanted me here. For my own career development, it made perfect sense to come, so I didn't hesitate at all.
I know the club, I know about the stadium, and I know the atmosphere is fantastic. I've been following the team. What I've seen is an ambitious side that wants to attack and progress. That's something I really want to be a part of. I'm still young, still hungry, and that's why I'm here – I want to achieve that progress with Newcastle. I can't wait to start this wonderful adventure here,” Fernandez-Pardo told the Magpies' official website.
“Mathias is a highly technical player with explosive pace. He can score and assist, possesses courage, and has the ability to take on opponents. We are confident our fans will enjoy watching him play. He has already shown at Lille that he can perform on the big stage, and we will work closely with him to continue developing his game. We are excited to see him in a Newcastle shirt,” added Newcastle manager Mathias Jaisle.
Fernandez-Pardo was a pivotal player for Lille last season, starting 27 of the club's 34 Ligue 1 matches and scoring eight goals, helping them secure a third-place finish and qualification for the Champions League. He was also part of Belgium's squad at the World Cup.
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