Newcastle Complete £51m Signing of Matias Fernandez-Pardo From Lille

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Belgium international Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille, agreeing a deal worth a guaranteed €60 million (around £51m) plus add-ons on transfer deadline day.

The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract at St James' Park after travelling to Tyneside, completing his medical and putting pen to paper before the deadline. He becomes new head coach Matthias Jaissle's third major signing since arriving at the club, and Newcastle's eighth of a busy summer window that has also brought in Nico Gonzalez, Ewen Jaouen, Amar Dedic and others.

Fernandez-Pardo was a standout performer for Lille last season, starting 27 of the club's 34 Ligue 1 games and scoring eight goals as they finished third and qualified for the Champions League. He made his senior debut for Belgium in June and went on to feature at this year's World Cup, having previously switched international allegiance from Spain during his youth career. Lille had pulled him from first-team training in late August after he made clear his desire to leave, with the French club holding out for a fee well above Newcastle's opening offers before an agreement was finally struck.

Jaissle described the forward as "a highly technical player with explosiveness in his game" who "can score and assist" and has "the ability to take players on." His arrival is also expected to pave the way for Nick Woltemade to leave on loan, with Juventus reported to be in direct talks over the German striker.