Debuchy leaves LOSC to join Newcastle
Friday, January 4, 2013
Article summary
Newcastle United FC have added to their squad with the signing of French international defender Mathieu Debuchy, 27, from LOSC Lille on a five-and-a-half-year deal.
Article top media content
Article body
Newcastle United FC have swooped to sign French international defender Mathieu Debuchy from LOSC Lille on a five-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Debuchy, 27, made 233 Ligue 1 appearances in ten seasons at LOSC and helped the club to the league and cup double in 2010/11. The right-back featured three times for Les Dogues as they finished bottom of UEFA Champions League Group F and his new club will take on FC Metalist Kharkiv in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 with the first leg on 14 February.
"It is great to become a Newcastle United player," said Debuchy, who has represented France 13 times. "After many great years at Lille I felt I was ready for a new challenge and cannot wait to play for such a big club in the best league in the world. I hope I can bring something fresh to the team and help us get up to the highest possible position in the Premier League this season. I will give everything for this club."
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, whose side are 15th in the Premier League, just two points above the relegation zone, added: "He is an established top international player and it is a real coup for this club that we now have him at St James' Park. Mathieu will add real quality to our team, in terms of his ability, character and experience and I am sure he will quickly become a firm favourite among our fans too."
