Simpson in action against a Middlesborough ruffian.Newcastle United have now confirmed that Danny Simpson is now a permanent signing.
The 23 year old right back has been a regular feature of the Toon’s back four since joining the club on loan from Manchester United in August, putting in some very respectable performances, despite a slightly below par perfomance in our last outing against West Bromwich Albion.
The details are that Simpson has signed a three and a half year deal with the Magpies, and he will continue to wear the Number 12 shirt he wore while on loan.
Newcastle United manager, Chris Hughton, who along with assistant, Colin Calderwood, has been involved in intense negotiations over the last few days to secure the player’s signature said:
“We’re delighted to complete a permanent deal for Danny. (more…)
Khizanishvili is coming to Toon.In the wake of Newcastle’s pummeling by the frisky Tangerines on Wednesday, United’s manager, Chris Hughton, has drafted in Blackburn’s benchwarming defender, Zurab Khizanishvili (try saying that without sounding inebriated).
He will be arriving, like previous loanee, Danny Simpson, on a three month loan deal, and is widely expected to slip straight into the squad to face Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
Whilst struggling to get a place in the first team at Blackburn this season, Khizanishvili is a highly experienced international for his home country, Georgia, with no less than 62 caps. He signed for Blackburn from Rangers three years ago for a modest £500,000.
Speaking of his new aquisition, Chris Hughton said:(more…)
Rooney: Toon nearly manInspired by a post on here and goaded on by Bowburnmag, I decided to do some research into NUFC’s nearly men. By that I mean the players we tried to sign and missed out to other clubs.
The idea was to get together a starting 11 made up of the ones that got away, but I was really struggling. Seeing as this wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be I’ve decided, in true 21st century media style, I’m going to get the reader to do all the work for me. Let’s try and make a starting 11 of the best players NUFC nearly signed. You can’t cheat and say something like Beckham in his prime. The player must be of the same age and talent as when we tried to sign him.
I’ll start you off with some of the big name signings we just missed out on and you can help by submitting your favourite ones that got away.
Here’s my list of confirmed players we put a bid in for: (more…)
Does the glamour of Hull await for Beye?Hot on the heels of Sebastien Bassong’s Tottenham move comes news that highly regarded Newcastle United right-back, Habib Beye is on the verge of a move to the Hull City Tigers.
City chairman, Paul Duffen, has confirmed that an offer has been accepted by United, after a previous £2 million bid failed to hit the mark with Toon owner, Mike Ashley. The sum is thought to be much closer to the £4 million mooted by the hierarchy at Saint James’s Park. It has also been reported that Beye has also been a target of Aston Villa’s Martin O’Neill.
However, although it sounds like a bid has been accepted, it is by no means certain that beye and Hull will reach agreement on personal terms, especially over salary. Beye is currently receiving around £30,000 per week on Tyneside. (more…)
Bassong: Finalising 'Spurs deal.Newcastle United centre-back, Sebastien Bassong, has been in North London having a medical for Tottenham Hotspur, as the final parts of a deal which has been mooted for some time are thrashed out. The fee is thought to be around £8-10 million, though Bassong was signed by Newcastle’s then Director of Football, Dennis Wise, for a mere £500,000 a year ago.
Despite his meagre pricetag, Bassong was voted Newcastle United’s ‘Player of the Year’ last season, though the field was hardly strong in what was a very disappointing season for the Toon to say the least.
Bassong, 23, has stated that he has “no choice” but to leave Toon, as he strives for Premiership football and a permanent place in the Cameroon first team.
Speaking on his time at Newcastle, he said:
“Playing for Newcastle was a real honour in front of the supporters at St James’s Park.
“It has been an unbelievable experience for me.
“But I have always said that I wanted to play in the Premier League and that wasn’t possible with Newcastle. (more…)
