Newcastle United snapped up Islam Slimani on deadline day.
Newcastle United’s new signing Islam Slimani has told the club’s official website that he knew he was making the right choice after speaking to manager Rafael Benitez.
The Magpies, who drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, went into deadline day needing signings having only previously managed to bring in Kenedy on loan from Chelsea.
After missing out on a number of targets in January, Newcastle did get two new faces in, as goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and striker Islam Slimani on loan from Sparta Prague and Leicester City respectively.
Whilst Dubravka hands manager Rafael Benitez another option between the sticks, it’s the signing of striker Slimani which will excite fans given the club’s need for goals.
The Algerian international, 29, may have struggled for first-team football with Leicester this season having managed just two Premier League starts, but his goal record with Sporting in Portugal should give Newcastle fans encouragement.
Slimani hit 57 goals in 109 games for Sporting to earn his move to England, and he should provide Benitez with a target man and a major goal threat.
Slimani has told the club’s official website that he is happy to have joined Newcastle, and hopes to aid their season in the final stretch as they attempt to avoid relegation.
Slimani added that, after speaking to manager Benitez, he felt confident that he was making the right choice in joining Newcastle, and that feeling ultimately convinced him to make the move.
“It’s a great thing for me and for Newcastle. I’m happy to be here. Hopefully I can come here and be able to give them a hand,” said Slimani. “Knowing the power of the fans and crowd here and how great they are, and also speaking to the manager, it gave me the confidence that this was the right choice,” he added.
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