Newcastle United have completed the signing of PSV Eindhoven captain Georginio Wijnaldum on a five-year-deal.
- By Michael Bell
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The Premier League side have paid PSV around €20 million for the 24-year-old, who was named last season’s Eredivisie player of the year after leading the Eindhoven club to the title.
The deal ends months of speculation around Wijnaldum, who made it clear at the end of the season that he was ready to leave PSV. Newcastle have beaten off reported competition from Zenit st Petersburg, Marseille, Monaco, Everton, and rivals Sunderland to sign the 19-time Dutch international.
Speaking to the official Newcastle website, Wijnaldum said on the move, “I’m delighted to be a Newcastle United player,”
“I felt the time was right for me to move and the Club have shown they really want me, so I’m very happy to be here.
“There’s a few players here who are from Holland – I know them well and they will help me feel at home in Newcastle. I know the Club has a great stadium with great fans. I want to play here as soon as possible – I want to feel the atmosphere and hear the crowd. I cannot wait to get started.”
Wijnaldum started his career with Feyenoord, and after 111 Eredivisie appearances for the Rotterdam club he left for PSV in 2011. In four seasons in Eindhoven, Wijnaldum made 152 appearances, scored 56 goals and added 23 assists.
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