Newcastle strengthens backline with Florian Lejeune signing
Florian Lejeune was unveiled as Newcastle United's second signing of the summer transfer window on Tuesday following a solid season in La Liga with Eibar.
The 26-year-old centre-back signed a five-year contract on Tyneside, and the Guardian understands the club stumped up £8.7 million to bring him aboard. He follows Christian Atsu, who joined from Chelsea in May, to St James' Park.
"I would like to welcome Florian to Newcastle United. He is a player that has done very well this year in Spain. I have known about him for a while, since he began playing for Villarreal," said Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez, referring to Lejeune's spell on the Yellow Submarines' books between 2011 and 2014.
"He has progressed a lot as a player in the last few years and I know he will give us something different at the back - he is good with both feet, he's big and he's good in the air also.
"If he settles well into English football then I am sure he will be a success and will give us a lot of competition in this area."
Lejeune spent a short time under Manchester City's employment when he was signed by the Eastlands club from Girona in 2015. He was immediately loaned back to Girona that summer, and then switched to Eibar permanently in 2016.
"I'm very happy to have signed. Newcastle United is a big club, and I'm very happy to be here," Lejeune said.
"When you have a manager like Rafa Benitez who wants you, you are very happy to come. Since I've been in touch with the manager, it was an easy decision for me to come here."
Newcastle was reportedly eyeing a loan approach for Arsenal defender Calum Chambers - who excelled at northeast rival Middlesbrough last term - when exploring candidates to partner Jamaal Lascelles at the back.
Newcastle begins its return to top-flight football with an appetising visit from Tottenham Hotspur on Aug. 12.