Siem de Jong Joins Newcastle United

Ajax captain joins The Magpies in a six-year deal.

By Joseph Dempsey /

nufc.co.ukNewcastle United have secured the services of Ajax captain Siem de Jong on a six year contract, according to Team Talk. The 25-year-old completed his switch to the North East after cutting short his pre-season training with the Dutch club to undergo a medical and agree personal terms with Alan Pardew's side for an undisclosed fee. De Jong is seen as a replacement for the departed midfielder Yohan Cabaye - who left for Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window - and can play as an attacking midfielder or a striker. He has spent his entire career at Ajax, with whom he played Champions League football, and follows in the footsteps of brother Luuk, who speny time on loan at Newcastle from Borussia Monchengladbach last season. After penning his deal with the Magpies, de Jong, who is reported to have cost £6 million, said:

"It is great to have signed for Newcastle. It is a big club which my brother told me all about, so I already feel good here.

Advertisement

"I had been at Ajax a long time and wanted a new challenge in a new environment and a new country.

"Coming to Newcastle is a great opportunity and the chance to play for a club like this in the Premier League was one I could not turn down.

Advertisement

"I am looking forward to starting training and meeting my new team-mates and hopefully we can have a successful season."

Pardew added: "We are absolutely overjoyed to bring Siem to the club because he will give us intelligence in the final third and create goalscoring situations, which we lacked towards the end of last season.
"It is a big signing for this club. Siem brings massive experience from Ajax, I think our fans are going to enjoy the way he plays and I cannot wait to start working with him."
De Jong becomes Newcastle's second summer signing following the arrival of Tenerife forward Ayoze Perez, as Pardew looks to replace Shola Ameobi, Loic Remy and Luuk. Ameobi has been released after 14 years at St James' Park while Remy and Luuk have returned to QPR and Ajax, respectively, following a loan period. Newcastle fans: Is this a good signing? Let us know in the comment section, below.