Newcastle United have signed Mikel Merino from Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan.
The 21-year-old Spanish midfielder joined the German club from Osasuna last summer, but failed to get regular first team football.
“I know it’s a great club and a really nice city,” said Merino. “I had different options but I think this is the right place for me to play.”
He quickly took to Twitter to show his delight…
Really happy and proud of being part of the familly! @NUFC ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/sA1Pz0tDXm
— Mikel Merino (@mikelmerino1) July 28, 2017
Magpies boss Rafael Benitez added: “Mikel is a midfielder with talent, an under-21 international for Spain. He’s a good size, has quality on the ball and he’s very, very focused and professional. Hopefully he’s the kind of player we can improve a lot – he certainly has the mentality to get better and better.
“He comes from a top side in Dortmund and although he did not play too much last season, he was signed as a young, talented player and to be signed by a club like that shows that he has something good. He has to show what he has, and hopefully he can enjoy playing here for a long time.”