Last updated on .From the section Football

Obertan failed to hold down a regular place in the Manchester United first team

Newcastle have signed winger Gabriel Obertan from Manchester United on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

"He has great pace and excellent technique and he has improved his power in the last 12 months," manager Alan Pardew told the club website.

The French midfielder added: "Newcastle is a big club with history."

The 22-year-old signed for Manchester United from Bordeaux in July 2009 but failed to gain a regular place in the first team.

The player continued: "I spent two good years at Old Trafford but it was a bit difficult with the competition."

"I really needed a club where I could play more games.

DID YOU KNOW? Obertan was an attendee of the famous Clairefontaine football academy in France

"I know it won't be easy to play each game here, because there's a good group, but I want a fresh start in my football."

Obertan made 28 appearances at Manchester United and scored his only goal in a 3-0 win away to Turkish side Bursaspor in the Champions League in November 2010.

Obertan becomes the fifth French speaking player to sign for Newcastle during this transfer window, following the arrivals of Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux and Mehdi Abeid.

Pardew added: "I contacted Sir Alex Ferguson [Manchester United manager] about him early at the start of the summer to see if there was an opportunity to bring him to Newcastle but it wasn't until Wayne Routledge joined Swansea that we were able to bring him in.

"His best years are ahead of him which is exactly what we want at this club, and with the backing of our magnificent fans I'm sure he will prove an excellent signing for us."