£12m Shelvey follows Saivet to Newcastle United

A busy day started with Newcastle United announcing the signing of Henri Saivet, which was followed by the £12million arrival of Jonjo Shelvey.

The Magpies spent the best part of £50million during the summer on the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic, but they have endured a difficult campaign to date and are currently rooted in the bottom three. Steve McClaren retains the support of the board, who are prepared to give him more cash to spend during the January window.

And it has now been confirmed that the club have completed the signing of Saivet from Bordeaux. It is understood that the St James Park club have paid around £5million for the 25-year-old, who has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract. The midfielder has already been acquainted with the Tyneside club, who he featured against twice in the 2012 UEFA Europa League.

“I am very happy to be here,” he told the official club website. “I am really proud to be able to play for this club, and I am really excited at the challenge that lies ahead. St James’ Park is a really impressive and special stadium. In France, there is nothing that compares to this, and I can’t wait to get out there with my new team-mates and help the team climb the table.”

Saivet, a Senegal international with nine caps, made his debut for Bordeaux as a 17-year-old back in 2007, and went on to make 178 appearances for the Ligue 1 club. He will be joined at Newcastle by Shelvey, who also completed his move to the club on Tuesday. It is thought the Magpies have paid £12million for the midfielder, who fell out of favour at Swansea City.

The former Liverpool star had been accused of showing a lack of appetite at the Liberty Stadium club, who were prepared to let him leave for the right fee. Crystal Palace had been heavily linked with the 23-year-old, but United had their offer accepted earlier in the day and the player has signed a five-and–a-half year contract after completing a medial and agreeing personal terms.

“I’m very excited to be here,” said Shelvey who, along with fellow new signing Saivet, was introduced to the Newcastle fans prior to the match against Manchester United at St James Park on Tuesday evening. “I’m so glad that it’s finally done. I drove up through the night to be here so it’s been a manic 24 hours, but it’s all been worth it to come here and play for this great club.”

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