‘It was a no-brainer’ Fraser overjoyed as he completes five-year deal at Newcastle
Newcastle have signed Bournemouth duo Ryan Fraser and Call um Wilson to boost their attack for the new Premier League season.
A deal for Wilson, understood to be worth in the region of £20million, was concluded just after midday yesterday before Fraser, a free agent after the expiry of his Cherries contract this summer, followed.
Scotland international Fraser, 26, who moved to the Cherries in January 2013 and made a total of 208 appearances for the club, has signed a five-year deal.
He said: “I’m absolutely buzzing for it – I came down to see the place the other day and 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, help the team and help us get back to where we belong.”
Head coach Steve Bruce said: “I’m delighted to bring Ryan to Newcastle United. We have held off big competition to get his signature. His ability and his contributions on the pitch speak for themselves. ”
Wilson, 28, who has signed a four-year contract, revealed Magpies favourite Alan Shearer was the inspiration for his move – alongside fictional forward Santiago Munez.
Shearer first contacted Wilson as he recovered from a serious knee injury and the pair have stayed in touch since.
Wilson told NUFC TV: “It was really encouraging to hear it from such a legend. It was out of the blue, the text message, as well, so I was quite surprised, but I was so appreciative.
“We kept in touch – Shearer messaged me when I got a call-up for England and we’ve also been in touch about me coming here. I asked a few questions and he had nothing but praise for the football club and for the place.” If Shearer provided the inspiration, it was watching the film Goal!,
which charts the rise of Munez, an illegal Mexican immigrant living in Los Angeles, to stardom at Newcastle, with his son which whetted Wilson’s appetite.
He said with a smile: “My son is getting to that age now where he’s watching more movies and more football, and he watched Goal!
“I’m sitting there watching it with him – obviously it’s all about Newcastle – and the little boy in me, it got me excited as well.”