“I’m delighted to be joining this fantastic club, I really enjoyed my time in Madrid, but when I became aware of interest from Newcastle United, and having worked with Eddie Howe before, I knew this was where I wanted to be.”
Newcastle United have completed the signing of Kieran Trippier from Athletico Madrid in a deal reported to be worth £12m plus add-ons.
The England International joins the Magpies on a two-and-a-half-year contract with the option of a further year, having won the Spanish La Liga with Los Rojiblancos last year.
The move represents an early statement of intent from Newcastle and their Saudi Arabian owners, considering the fact that the team has struggled in the Premier League this season and are in danger of relegation.
This is the first transfer window for the Tyneside club under their new owners and it also represents the first opportunity for Coach Eddie Howe – appointed 11 games into the season – to get players that would primarily rescue the club’s season and suit the style he intends to play.
FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS
The comments of the club manager should dispel any fears concerning Trippier’s chances of settling in to a new team, in a different country at mid-season:
“I am really pleased to welcome Kieran. I have long admired his abilities and have followed his career, so when the opportunity arose to secure him, we didn’t hesitate.” Howe stated.
But not just that.
For the player himself, working with Howe – the same gaffer who signed him for Burnley in 2012 – represents an advantage in terms of acclimatizing with his new team, while it goes without saying that the 31-year-old has a truckload of English Football experience – having spent his entire career in England prior to his switch to Spain in 2019.
His stint with Burnley also means he is not new to playing for relegation survival.
The question that will be running in the mind of many football fans – especially those of Athletico Madrid – is why the former Tottenham player has been allowed to leave, at such a price and at this crucial period of the season.
USHERING IN A NEW ERA
What others think of the deal is unlikely to be an issue with the Newcastle Faithful, as they have finally gotten to see what should be the first of many top-class deals they think a club as huge – and now financially-buoyant – as theirs should be making.
Additional comments from the boss, Eddie Howe suggests there is more to come too:
“A lot of hard work has gone into planning for the January transfer window long before the month began, which is clear in how quickly we have been able to complete this move.”
ALL BALLOONS AND BIRTHDAY CAKES ?
One who’s been following the Premier League or any competitive football league for some time would know that, as important as quality additions are to a squad, it takes a lot more than ‘big signings’ to achieve team goals.
Teams like Manchester City and Chelsea are blueprints of getting it right in that sense while others like Everton, Fulham and QPR didn’t seem to benefit much from splashing the cash in recent seasons.
Nonetheless, the Newcastle United Fans will hope the former is the case with them.
How good a signing do you think Trippier is For Newcastle?
Bolaji Alimi
