Newcastle sign Trippier from Atletico Madrid to begin spending spree

Newcastle United have opened what promises to be a busy month of transfer activity at St. James' Park with Friday's signing of Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid.

The full-back, who has 35 England caps, joins after the two clubs agreed to a fee worth £12 million plus add-ons, according to BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan.

Trippier, 31, inked a two-and-a-half-year contract on Tyneside.

The Trippier acquisition isn't expected to be the end of Newcastle's January business. The Magpies are also seeking two center-backs, a left-back, a midfielder, and a striker as they try to preserve their Premier League status, The Athletic's Chris Waugh and David Ornstein reported last week.

Newcastle are positioned 19th in England's top flight, two points adrift of safety. However, the future appears bright at the club following October's £300-million takeover by a consortium backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.