KI HAILS MAGS MOVE
FORMER SUNDERLAND LOANEE RELISHES FRESH START AT NEWCASTLE ON TWO-YEAR DEAL
Newcastle United are up and running in the transfer market – after signing free agent Ki Sung-yueng.
The former Sunderland loan midfielder, released by relegated Swansea City, yesterday signed a two-year deal at St James’s Park.
Rafa Benitez – who has been involved in a transfer budget stand-off with owner Mike Ashley – said it was an “easy decision” to sign the 29-year-old, who went to the World Cup with South Korea.
However, it is unclear whether Benitez and Ashley – who has been pushing his manager to sign a new deal – have agreed a budget for the rest of the club’s summer transfer business.
“I’m so pleased I can join the club,” said South Korea captain Ki.
“I was always pleasantly surprised when I came to St James’s Park to play against Newcastle – there’s a great atmosphere and the passion from the fans is a great support to the players.
“Everyone knows how big this club is, so I’m really looking forward to playing with my team-mates and for the fans.”
Ki – who had a loan spell at Sunderland in 2013-14 and helped the Black Cats to reach the Capital One Cup final at Wembley – will add Premier League experience to Benitez’s squad.
Benitez said: “I’m pleased to welcome Ki to the club.
“He’s a player with lots of Premier League and international experience, and it was an easy decision to bring him here. He is the captain of his country, a good character, and he will be a good addition to the squad.”
Ki is the Magpies’ second summer signing.
They signed goalkeeper Martin Dubravka – who spent the second half of last season on loan at St James’s Park – from Sparta Prague after the end of the campaign.
Ki’s arrival comes ahead of the anticipated departure of midfielder Mikel Merino, who has a release clause in his contract. The 22-yearold, signed last year from Borussia Dortmund, is expected to join Real Sociedad.
Shay Given has joined Frank Lampard’s coaching staff at Derby County.
The retired goalkeeper – who made 464 appearances for Newcastle and had a successful loan stint with Sunderland way back in 1996 – will take the role of head goalkeeping coach.
“He’s had many, many, years as a top goalkeeper,” said Lampard. “Performance-wise, he was incredible, and he has now achieved his goalkeeper coaching licence.
“I’m very pleased to have Shay as part of the team, and not just for what he will bring as a goalkeeper coach, but what he will also bring to the dressing room in a much broader scheme.”
Championship side Nottingham Forest have signed Algeria striker Hillal Soudani on a three-year deal, for an undisclosed fee, from Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia.