Newcastle complete signature of Papiss Demba Cisse
In a fairly under-the-radar move, Newcastle have made a major attacking improvement to their side and signed former Freiburg hitman, Papiss Demba Cisse.
The 26 year-old had been involved in Premier League transfer speculation for the past few months with the Sports Direct Arena emerging as a possible destination, however Tottenham and Sunderland were thought to be edging it in the race for his signature.
Regardless of what rumours were in circulation, Cisse has made the move to the North East and will be a Magpie when he returns from the African Cup of Nations, where he has flown to join his international teammates.
Cisse is a part of the Senegalese national side along with prolific Newcastle forward, Demba Ba, with whom he will now form a partnership with on a club level.
If current season form is anything to go on, the pair will undoubtedly form a flourishing strike force, scoring 24 goals in 36 league matches between them this campaign.
Until February however, Alan Pardew will need to make do with the likes of Leon Best and Shola Ameobi, who will both inevitably make way for the Senegal duo upon their return from the African tournament.
The deal, which went through on Tuesday night, is expected to have cost the Tynesiders in the region of £10m as owner Mike Ashley looks to progress upon his side’s blistering first half of the season.
Newcastle are currently in contention to finish in the European spots and if Cisse were to replicate his Bundesliga form in England, that remains a very distinct possibility.
