Newcastle finalised Debuchy deal

Newcastle United have completed the signing of French right back Mathieu Debuchy from Lille on a five-and-a-half year deal.



The defender was believed to be close to joining the Premier League side during the summer transfer window following a string of impressive performances during France's Euro 2012 campaign, only for the two clubs to be unable to agree a fee.



Debuchy was present during Newcastle's 2-1 defeat to Everton on Wednesday as he watched from the stands at St James' Park, and joins up with fellow France internationals Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye after completing the five-million-pound move.



"I hope I can bring something fresh to the team and help us get up to the highest possible position in the Premier League this season," Debuchy told the club's official website.



"I will give everything for this club."



Meanwhile, manager Alan Pardew admitted it was a 'huge relief' to secure the long-term target's signature.



"It's no secret we've been trailing him for some time now and to have reached this point fills me with great excitement and anticipation in respect of what he will be able to offer the team," said the Newcastle manager.



"At the same time it's a huge relief to actually have him with us now.



"He is an established top international player and it is a real coup for this club that we now have him at St James' Park.



"Mathieu will add real quality to our team, in terms of his ability, character and experience and I am sure he will quickly become a firm favourite among our fans too."



The right-back has 12 caps for his country so far, scoring one goal, whilst he won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France with Lille in 2011.



The France international is expected to feature in Newcastle's next Premier League fixture, against Norwich on January 12, however he will unavailable for Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie away to Brighton.

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Newcastle in new Debuchy move

Newcastle have made a fresh move in their bid to capture Lille full-back Mathieu Debuchy.



Press Association Sport understands the Magpies have stepped up their protracted pursuit of the 27-year-old defender, having so far not managed to persuade the French club to part with him.



Manager Alan Pardew had made the right-back one of his main targets this summer and will hope the latest offer will trigger a positive response.



Debuchy, an international team-mate of Yohan Cabaye, has indicated his desire to follow the midfielder to Newcastle, but having seen Cabaye's value increase significantly since his £4.8million switch last summer, Lille are holding out for their valuation.



Reports in France have suggested they want eight million euros - around £6.3million - a figure way in excess of the Magpies' initial offer.



Pardew has been waiting patiently for a breakthrough with one of his major targets - FC Twente defender Douglas and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll are among those about whom enquiries have been made - while at the same time bolstering his development squad with the acquisitions of Roman Amalfitano, Gael Bigirimana and Curtis Good.



However, with the start of the new season fast-approaching and the challenge of Europa League football to be added into the mix, further strengthening to the senior set-up is also required.

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Cabaye say Debuchy want to join us

Newcastle are expected to attempt to complete the signing of Mathieu Debuchy this week and Yohan Cabaye hopes the deal happens.

The Premier League outfit have been chasing the France full-back for the majority of the summer as Alan Pardew seeks to strengthen the right side of his defence.



And Cabaye is optimistic Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias can complete a deal for his team-mate from Euro 2012, and good friend from their time together atLille.



"Mathieu has made a very difficult to decision to leave Lille but he has made the decision," Cabaye toldThe Journal while on Newcastle's pre-season tour in Portugal.





"I spoke with him two days ago and he told me he wants to come. I hope Derek (Llambias) and Mike Ashley will do the business now."Now I hope Newcastle push for Mathieu and I want them to do the deal.



"He wants to play for Newcastle and I hope that he comes to Newcastle because, of course, he is my friend but also a very good player for Newcastle."



Newcastle defeated Braga over the weekend as Pardew's men continued preparations for the new season, when they will seek to improve on 2011/12's impressive fifth-placed finish.



And Cabaye is pleased with the pre-season progress: "It is very nice to be back with Newcastle. I have had four weeks of holidays but now I am glad to be back.



"I am delighted to be back to build my fitness for the start of the Premier League season because it is going to be an exciting season for us.



"It was tough against Braga for the first five minutes because it is a long time to be away but after that it felt good and I felt like I was ready.



"I am looking forward to the next few weeks now."

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