POPE GIVES BLESSING TO TOON MOVE

Newcastle have completed the signing of Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope on a fouryear deal.

The 30-year-old England international travelled to the northeast to undergo a medical and formally seal the transfer yesterday after the two clubs had agreed a fee understood to be in the region of £10 million.

Pope, who has eight England caps to his name, arrives at St James’ Park – where he will be reunited with former team-mate Chris Wood – having established himself as a redoubtable performer over his six years at Turf Moor, during which he made 141 league appearances for the Clarets.

He will provide stiff competition for current number one Martin Dubravka, with the Slovakia international having largely held sway over Karl Darlow – linked with a move away this summer – under Howe and predecessors Rafael Benitez and Steve Bruce.

A renowned shotstopper, Pope kept nine Premier League clean sheets last season but could not prevent Burnley from slipping out of the top division.

His swift return to the top flight will do little harm to his chances of making Gareth Southgate’s squad for the World Cup finals later this year.

He becomes Howe’s second summer signing, with full-back Matt Targett completing a permanent move after a successful loan spell last season.

For all their newfound spending power – they invested around £94m in new signings in January – Newcastle spending to date has been astute, with Kieran Tripper, Dan Burn, Targett and now Pope all men with extensive top-flight experience, having arrived for a total outlay of less than £50m.