Newcastle CONFIRM Signing Of Florian Thauvin From Marseille

Florian Thauvin has completed his £14 million move to Newcastle United from Marseille on a five-year contract - and is available to play on Saturday against Manchester United. The winger was accompanied by Magpies officials as he flew across to Tyneside on Tuesday before undergoing a medical the following day and putting pen to paper on his contract - and he will take Remy Cabella's No 20 shirt. He becomes Newcastle's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Ivan Toney - and takes their summer spending past the £50 million mark. Cabella has headed the other way as part of the deal - initially on a year-long loan that will turn into a permanent £6.5 million deal - the French playmaker having ended an unhappy one-year spell on Tyneside. Speaking to NUFC.co.uk, Thauvin said of the deal:

"I am delighted to be a Newcastle United player. "I have come from France to a really big club and am very happy to be here. "It is a big honour to know that Newcastle have been after me for such a long time and that they wanted me that much. "They have put their trust in me and I am looking forward to playing for the team."

The Toon had been linked with a move for Thauvin all summer long and had reportedly seen a number of approaches knocked back by the former French champions. Thauvin scored 15 goals and provided 14 assists in 79 appearances since signing for Marseille in 2013. He also netted seven times in 10 France Under-21 games.

The 5ft 10in forward can operate in the centre, but usually plays wide in an attacking system or as a winger.

Toon boss Steve McClaren is also delighted with Thauvin's acquisition. He said:

"Florian is a player the club have been watching for a long time and I am delighted that we have been able to sign him. He is a perfect signing for this club - someone who is young, with great potential and is one of the best young players in Europe. "He is an exciting, creative talent who can score goals and make assists, and we believe he will have a very bright future at Newcastle."

Speculation surrounding the 22-year-old€™s future effectively destroyed his relationship with L€™OM€™s fans. He was verbally abused and spat on after a home defeat to Caen earlier this month, according to Get French Football News. Such behaviour seemed to force him out of the Stade Velodrome and towards St James€™ Park. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.