Newcastle have today announced the signing of Tottenham Hotspur defender DeAndre Yedlin.
DeAndre Yedlin has joined Newcastle
Speaking to the club’s official website, Newcastle United’s latest recruit DeAndre Yedlin has called it an ‘honour’ to join Rafa Benitez’s side, who has returned the compliment by praising his ‘attacking mentality.’
Yedlin had been linked with a number of different clubs this summer included Toon rivals Sunderland, who today have opted to sign Javier Manquillo from Atletico Madrid, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Black Cats were thought to be one of the favourites to land Yedlin, who made 23 appearances for the club last season whilst on loan at the Stadium of Light.
DeAndre Yedlin is a Black Cat turned Magpie
Newcastle were also thought to be in direct competition with Championship rivals Aston Villa, with both clubs said to have submitted bids of £5 million, according to the Mail.
But in the end, it was the appeal of working with the highly reputed Rafa Benitez that helped sway his decision, who described it as an honour to join the Magpies.
“Newcastle is such a big and historic club, and I’m excited to have the honour of playing for them. Hopefully I can do great things here,” Yedlin told the club’s official website.
“I’m excited to learn under Rafa Benitez as well. He has an amazing résumé and I know he will help improve me a lot.
“I can’t wait to get started.”
American Yedlin made 23 league appearances for Sunderland last season
Benitez too is looking forward to working with his new recruit, whom he describes as having an ‘attacking mentality’, which will go down with Toon fans.
“In DeAndre we have a player who knows English football well. He has good experience, an attacking mentality, ability and great pace,” Benitez said.
“I think he can do really well for us and will give us good competition on the right.”
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has praised Yedlin’s ‘attacking mentality’
Newcastle today sold Daryl Janmaat to Watford for a reported £7 million, and Yedlin’s signing will be a direct replacement for the outgoing Dutchman.
Yedlin, who made just one appearance during his time at Spurs, has signed a five year deal on Tyneside, keeping him at the club until at least 2021.
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