Newcastle United have completed the signing of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa from Montpellier for an undisclosed fee

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa from Montpellier for an undisclosed fee.

The French international centre-back has put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year contract at St. James' Park and will wear the number 13 shirt.

Yanga-Mbiwa, aged 23, made more than 200 appearances for Montpellier during a near six-year spell at the club, having come up through the youth ranks, and captained La Paillade to their first Ligue 1 title last season.

"It is an honour to be able to come to Newcastle United and have the chance to play in the Premier League," said the defender.

"Newcastle are one of the biggest clubs in the league, and I'm going to try and give everything I have so that the team can do well.

"I have experienced a lot of positive things so far in my career and one of those is joining this Club."

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew added: "We needed to strengthen the team and bringing in Mapou will give the whole squad a boost.

"He is precisely the sort of player we've been looking to bring to the Club.

"He is a good age for us but has plenty of experience at club and international level.

"Mapou is a talented footballer, good in the air and on the ground and has all the attributes to succeed as a quality defender in the Premier League.

"He's a good character too and that will be important for us over the next few months."

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