Newcastle United have completed the signing of Dutch international striker Luuk de Jong



By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Dutch international striker Luuk de Jong.

The 23-year-old arrives at St. James' Park from Borussia Monchengladbach on loan to the end of the season, with an option to make the move permanent.

De Jong will wear the Magpies' number 18 shirt and is eligible to make his debut in Saturday's Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.

The front man began his career with De Graafschap in his homeland before enjoying a prolific three-year spell with FC Twente.

He signed for Monchengladbach in July 2012 and was part of the Holland squad which competed in the European Championships that summer.

"Newcastle is a great club and I have a good feeling about it," said de Jong.

"I am very impressed with the stadium and training ground and have been made to feel very welcome by everyone I have met.

"It has been a tough season for me so far but I am here to play games and want to be important for the team, and successful with goals and assists.

"I am really looking forward to playing for Newcastle."

Newcastle United Director of Football, Joe Kinnear, said: "We're delighted to bring Luuk de Jong to the Club.

"He has an excellent pedigree and will add significantly to our striking options.

"We've been watching him for a little while now and I am sure he will prove to be a valuable acquisition for us.

"He's a great character and a proven goalscorer who I know is very keen to replicate the prolific form he showed for FC Twente in the Eredivisie."

Stay logged on to nufc.co.uk throughout the night for exclusive photos of our new signing Luuk de Jong and an nufcTV interview with the striker.