Newcastle United have snapped up striker Daryl Murphy from Ipswich Town.
Daryl Murphy celebrates after scoring for Ipswich
Newcastle United have today confirmed yet another signing, as striker Daryl Murphy has joined the club from Championship rivals Ipswich Town.
The Magpies have splashed the cash this summer on a host of new signings, but despite signing Dwight Gayle from Crystal Palace, manager Rafael Benitez appeared to be keen on bringing in another striker.
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s suspension has highlighted that Newcastle are lacking another physical presence to play alongside the diminutive Gayle, and Benitez has now moved to land a new target man.
Daryl Murphy celebrates after scoring for Ipswich
Earlier today, Newcastle confirmed on their official website that they have signed Ipswich Town hitman Daryl Murphy, with the Daily Mail claiming a £3.5m fee involved.
Murphy, 33, has turned out for the likes of Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday and Celtic since leaving Waterford Town in 2005, but he’s enjoyed the most success at Ipswich.
After scoring 11 goals in 74 games during a length loan deal from Celtic, Murphy joined the Tractor Boys permanently, and hasn’t looked back since, with his 27 goals during the 2014-15 season a particularly highlight of his time in Suffolk.
Daryl Murphy and Brentford’s Liam Moore in action
Injuries hit Murphy last season but he still managed to score ten goals in the league before featuring for the Republic of Ireland at this summer’s European Championships in France.
Now, Murphy is heading back to the North East having signed for Newcastle, and fans from Ipswich and his former club Sunderland have been reacting on Twitter to the news.
Republic of Ireland’s Daryl Murphy in action with Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci and Thiago Motta
Ipswich fans are largely sad to see Murphy leave the club given his exploits in recent years, but suggest that the money is great for a player who is not only 33, but also looked ‘a shadow of himself’ last season.
Meanwhile, given that Murphy scored just 14 goals in 124 games for Sunderland, Black Cats fans have been mocking Newcastle for signing him. Many believe Newcastle have made a terrible signing in Murphy, and whilst there is of course some bias in there, it’s clear that Sunderland fans certainly don’t rate the big striker very highly.
Ipswich fans
Sunderland fans
Newcastle fans will be hoping and praying that they get the player Ipswich fans are sad to see leave rather than the player Sunderland remember, and he should offer valuable experience to Mitrovic in attack, giving Rafael Benitez a proven Championship option should he need it this season.
What do you think about Newcastle signing Daryl Murphy?
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