Newcastle land another bargain with striker Ferreyra signing on loan

Premier League top 10 chances Newcastle United (7/5) have signed Argentine striker Facundo Ferreyra on loan for the season from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk. There is an option for the Magpies to buy him permanently.

Newcastle announced on their official website: “Newcastle United have completed the signing of Facundo Ferreyra from Shakhtar Donetsk.

“The 23-year-old Argentine striker joins on a season-long loan, with an option to buy at the end of the campaign, and has joined up with Magpies’ squad in Germany as they take part in this weekend’s Schalke 04 Cup.”

Ferreyra’s move to St James’ Park follows the ongoing political troubles in Ukraine, with the Argentina Under-20 international refusing to return to the country.

“I am very pleased to sign for Newcastle United,” he said. “I like the Premier League and, when I knew that Newcastle were interested in me, it was a very easy decision to make.

“I spoke to my friend [and compatriot] Fabricio Coloccini and, when he told me about the club, I didn’t need to think twice.”

Striker Ferreyra only moved to Shakhtar last summer, but scored six times in 13 league appearances in an injury-hit campaign. He becomes the Magpies’ seventh signing this transfer window, after Remy Cabella, Jack Colback, Siem de Jong, Daryl Janmaat, Ayoze Perez and Emmanuel Riviere.

His new manager Alan Pardew said: “Facundo is someone we know on a number of levels, including his friendship with Fabricio, and we think he could be a big success here at Newcastle.

“This is a player who has played at the top level and is highly regarded in Argentina. He has tremendous potential and hopefully he can realise that here at Newcastle United.”

Exiting Sunderland striker Connor Wickham, meanwhile, is a reported target for the Magpies. In what would be a controversial move to his club’s bitter rivals, his boss Gus Poyet has given him an ultimatum to sign a new deal, which could result in his departure.

“For me, Connor’s situation is clear,” Uruguayan Poyet said. “He needs to sign a new contract or we let him go – we sell him. There is nothing in between.”