DONE DEALS
Newcastle United sign Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser with Jamal Lewis expected to join later this week
RYAN Fraser is ‘absolutely buzzing’ to join Newcastle United – and has vowed to help take the Magpies ‘back to where we belong’.
The Scotland international has signed a five-year deal with the black-and-whites and arrives on a free transfer after his contract expired at Bournemouth earlier this summer.
Fraser spent seven-and-a-half years at the Vitality Stadium and grew from a raw teenager in League One to a top-flight game changer on his day.
The 26-year-old is the first to admit that he did not have the best of campaigns last season, and has not played a competitive game since March, but he is eager to make his mark on Tyneside.
“I’m absolutely buzzing for it,” he told the club’s website. “I came down to see the place the other day and it was all just good things: the manager, the place, the fans, the messages I’ve been getting.
“It was just a no-brainer, really, to play in such a big stadium with such passionate fans and being back up in the north again is big as well.
“So I’m really looking forward to it and I just can’t wait to show everyone what I can do and help the team and help us get back to where we belong.”
Fraser, of course, has followed Callum Wilson, his former Bournemouth team-mate, through the door at St James’ Park and the pair struck up a fruitful partnership down on the South Coast.
In the 2018-19 season, for example, Fraser and Wilson combined for 12 league goals in 2018/19 and Steve Bruce can’t wait to reunite the duo.
“I’m delighted to bring Ryan to Newcastle United. We have held off big competition to get his signature and that says a lot about what this club has to offer,” Bruce added.
“His ability and his contributions on the pitch speak for themselves and I’m looking forward to seeing him getting to work in a Newcastle shirt. He has wonderful chemistry on the pitch with Callum Wilson, which excites me, and I hope it excites our supporters ahead of the new season.”