Newcastle United coach Alan Pardew completed his first summer signing when he clinched a deal for Reims midfielder Romain Amalfitano.

The 22-year-old, who is out of contract at the French club, will officially become a Magpies player on 1 July. His arrival was confirmed by the Magpies this afternoon, although no details of the length of his contract have been released.

Amalfitano said: "I am very happy to be a Newcastle player. I have seen a bit of the city already and it is a change from France, but one I am really looking forward to.

When a club like Newcastle wants you to play for them, it can only be a good thing.
Romain Amalfitano, Reims midfielder

 

"When a club like Newcastle wants you to play for them, it can only be a good thing. I have taken the opportunity to play in the Premier League and cannot wait to get going."

Nice-born Amalfitano, whose older brother Morgan is at Marseille, can play either on the right side of midfield or through the middle. He becomes the latest recruit from France to join Pardew's revolution with Newcastle treading a well-worn path having done so hugely successfully in the recent past.

Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye played major roles in last season's fifth-place finish in the Premier League, while Sylvain Marveaux's opportunities were severely limited by injury and Mehdi Abeid is regarded as a promising talent for the future.