Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa signs five-and-a-half-year deal at United

Defender signs on
Defender signs on
Newcastle have completed the signing of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa who arrives from Montpellier for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £6.7m.

The 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half year deal at St James’ Park and will wear the number 13 shirt at United.

It’s a much needed boost to our defence which has already been swelled by the addition of Mathieu Debuchy at right-back. Yanga-Mbiwa arrives with a high reputation from his time in France and has courted interest from clubs such as Arsenal and AC Milan in recent times so United have done well to get him assuming he can carry on where he left off for Montpellier.

Speaking to the official club website, Yanga-Mbiwa revealed he is honoured to come to Newcastle:

“It is an honour to be able to come to Newcastle United and have the chance to play in the Premier League,” said the defender,” said Yanga-Mbiwa.

He added: “Newcastle are one of the biggest clubs in the league, and I’m going to try and give everything I have so that the team can do well. I have experienced a lot of positive things so far in my career and one of those is joining this Club.”

The French international also revealed that the lure of playing with so many French players at United helped him make the decision to join a side who, in all honesty, are struggling and need to start picking up results.

“here were a lot of other French players here which is something which really helped me since I don’t know England too well. It helps me to settle into life here and to get used to football in this country,” Yanga-Mbiwa said.

“It attracts a lot of French players and it appeals to a lot of French players because of their style of play and also because of the wonderful team spirit that they have here at Newcastle, which is very good for French players. So I’m really looking forward to coming here and discovering that for myself.”

Meanwhile Alan Pardew revealed his pleasure at signing the 23-year-old, insisting that he is the right kind of player with the right kind of personality to fit in at St James’ Park.

“We needed to strengthen the team and bringing in Mapou will give the whole squad a boost. He is precisely the sort of player we’ve been looking to bring to the Club. He is a good age for us but has plenty of experience at club and international level,” Pardew told nufc.co.uk.

“Mapou is a talented footballer, good in the air and on the ground and has all the attributes to succeed as a quality defender in the Premier League. He’s a good character too and that will be important for us over the next few months,” he added.

It’s great to finally sign a central defender even though it should have been done in the summer. To be honest I’m surprised we’ve got him such is the interest that has been shown in him previously by, being honest, bigger clubs than us.

It will of course raise more questions about the future of Fabricio Coloccini and if he leaves we’re back to square one, but if he stays we’ve just strengthened our defence quite nicely. And with more players expected to arrive on Tyneside imminently could it be that we finally have a good transfer window at a time when everyone involved with the club needs a boost?

I hope so…

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

94 thoughts on “Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa signs five-and-a-half-year deal at United

  1. If Colo stays I’d be very happy with the 4 centre backs we’ve got.
    Willo isn’t amazing but he seems an alright bloke and I’d be delighted if he was willing to stay as 4th choice.

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  2. Solano

    Nothing wrong with Willo as a fourth choice defender. He is capable of putting in the odd decent performance. But for me simply isn’t good enough to be playing as much as he is at this level.

    The criticism he gets isn’t his fault, he gives 100%, but unfortunately just doesn’t offer enough.

    I don’t think Colo will perform well even if he stays. His attitude is really disgusting at the moment – or at least what he father makes it out to be anyway.

    I’m in a bit of shock we’ve pulled Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa off to be honest.

    I actually think Ashley’s gone dilly. Still waiting for the catch. It should have been done at the start of the season, but better late than never I guess.

    Its down to Pardew now to use the players correctly. If I see Jonas and Shola playing every 90 minutes I will **** myself.

    Would like to see Santon playing more advanced if this Haidara is any good. Never heard of him tbh.

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  3. <<<<<<<<<<, JJ
    would like to see the back of collo meself overrated and overpaid in my opion ,but would expect the club to get some money out the deal to invest in some1 like douglas,but would also want a replacement brought in this window if he was to go

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  4. From some reports and a quote from colo’s dad it seems the club are playing hard ball with him and he will be staying until the summer at least . Rightly so , we did not force him too sign a contract extension ,just hope he keeps his form and does not hang his head and give up on us . As for Van Wolfswinkel he would be a good signing but reports suggest it will take a 9 or 10 million bid .

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  5. Toonarmyelite

    Agree, would SHOULD get a replacement, but don’t think we will. Not with Saylor returning.
    In fact, I don’t even think we would have gone in so quickly for Mapou if it wasn’t for the problems with Colo.

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  6. Axel,
    I would keep Colo and when Saylor is fit put him on the bench and make him earn his place back after the **** he has caused.

    Saw a tweet the other day.

    “Newcastle have given Barcelona until Tuesday to decide whether they will give them Messi on a free, otherwise they are pulling the plug on the dea… Toon won’t wait forever, must move on…”

    Sums it up really. Ridiculous cheek.

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  7. JJ
    dont think collos a very good leader meself newcastle aint won a game were they gone behind 1st since hes been captain.some1 like nolan would of be puting foot to asses if he was captain

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  8. this whole colo thing is funky as **** holes… he is now off with the argie national team for a jolly but is pleasing that he needs to go home for personal reasons. Seems to me, he may have bene a naughty boy on tyneside and its got naff all to do with footy etc…. i think we should make him stay till summer then cut him loose if he wants to go then. he can be on the bench as back up to taylor and Mbiwa.

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  9. I agree with the Jonas and Shola comment from JJ. The trouble is because Jonas is an ‘influential character’ in the dressing room he might get the nod over someone who has actually been performing decently, like a Marveaux or Anita.

    Pardew needs balls now. And I’m still not talking about Wolfswinkel

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  10. Who’s are new captain then if Colo leaves ,i think i would will go for Cabaye because Saylor is always getting injured ,so long as Pards does not make Williamson captain 😯

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  11. good to see this quote from Colo’s dad –

    “In the last few hours, Newcastle have bought a defender but that means nothing because they were looking for an option in that position anyway”

    Hopefully we’ve got someone in mind to replace our curly-haired captain… should San Lorenzo/random Argie/Viggo Mortensen find the dosh to buy him out of his contract

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  12. AXEL
    for me it would be between 4 players caybeye tiote cisse Yanga-Mbiwa but thinks caybeye would get it meself

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  13. re van Wolfswinkel

    Lee Ryder ‏@lee_ryder
    Van Wolfswinkel won’t happen

    George Caulkin ‏@CaulkinTheTimes
    they’re not interested in him.

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  14. Fook me – 2 in already and Gouffran and Hadeires to sign today – whatever they’re called – both have posted on thier official twitter accounts that they are signing today!
    LameArse should be put to rest – Ashley’s personal involvement has sealed these deals
    If we get Sissoko and van Wofie – I’ll wet myself

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  15. Good signing, cant rest on our laurels though. Still need another CB if Colo goes. Still need 1, maybe 2 strikers and need a good winger as well as a full back.

    Nice to see Ashley oulling his finger out. If these transfers come off and it us true that Ashley oversaw them, then surely that spells the end for Dekka?

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  16. Re wolfswinkel ,never believed that for one minute .He’s not bargain basement enough for Jabba. Still slightly shocked we got Mapou tbh though. 😯

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  17. Shamrock Agree@20 .Simply have to replace Colo if he goes or we are simply standing still.Also can’t stand the thought of Mbiwa alongside Wilo 👿

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  18. <<<<<<<<< thinks in the future newcastle will be buying most of there players in the winter window for the reason theres usual 6 months left on some of players contracts that time of year, so the chance of grabing a decent player on the cheap increases in my view and think a few other teams might follow suit with buying them

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  19. for instants a player like Sissoko available for 3 mil i find that hard to believe what would he of cost if we bought him last summer alot more

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  20. How many people have actually watched this lad play? The general consensus is that he is awesome but I reckon a majority of fans have not seen him play. I don’t want to **** on everyone’s parade but he might struggle in the pl for all we know.

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  21. AMF – agreed – will be hard for Debuchy, Mbiwa, Hadeira and Gouffran to all hit the ground running – saying that Debuchys as good as Simmo after two games !

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  22. AUSSIE MAGive seen him play about 7 times hes very quick he strong and will bring a calm to our defence

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  23. Superb signing, and would seem not only a good player but strong character too. Others clubs came in but he was focused on joining NUFC despite what his previous employer and Mr Deschamp had to say about us.
    Get Gouffran and Haidara in today and Sissoko in before the window closes and I’d be a happy bunny. Personally though I’d like us to get a striker in as well. Danny ‘Geordie Boy’ Graham would a good option in my opinion. He’s a toon fan and would play his heart out for us.

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  24. plus with him in def we going to be able to play attacking football cause if we lose it now with him there he has the pace to cover for any mistake so the team will be able to sit a lot higher up the pitch

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  25. About time but I feel we only got h because of the Colo fiasco. I expect the decision will come out today if he’s staying or going, but I feel we’ve lost him either way

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  26. AUSSIE MAGPIE FAN
    lets hope for caybeyes sake he dont have to arm wrestle him for the captains armband when collos gone lmao 😈

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  27. Delighted with the signing , however it doesnt change where we are in the league. We have done well so far getting in Debuchay and Mbiwa now but we need a few more. I think we should have enough to pull away from bottom 3, however I thought we d have enough not to be near bottom 3 either. Hopefully this is a start of our fortunes turning around

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  28. Massadio Haidara dont know much about this dude not seen him play and of you fellas know anything about him

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  29. So there are photos of Sissoko, Haidara and Gouffran at Benton.

    This transfer window really has been unreal. Never in a million years expected this. Gives us so much depth and competition.

    We are perhaps one out and out striker short but really unreal.

    I suppose still a striker and defender short if Colo leaves.

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  30. So including Debuchy the Toon have spent £17 million this January and recouped £4 million for Ba ( after Ba’s and his agents cut). Bringing in International players at a fraction of their true value. We could have done with one or two last summer but would never have got some of these players at the prices we paid. I am sure some of this is because of our current situation but I expect the homework was done a long time ago and we have moved quickly. Hopefully it will be enough to keep us up.
    @LukeEdwardsTele: Newcastle United strengthen their French connection as trio arrive for £11.5m via @Telegraph http://t.co/p34lSxZC #nufc

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  31. Kim
    Not for £10m he’s not, could get can van wolfwinkle for that, he scores more goals in a better league for a less dominant team.

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  32. Great news on Mbiwa, Not seen Haidara but i rate Gouffran and Sissoko. Great up to now, Just need to tell Colos auld fella to **** off and the same to his cheeky bassa club who should be reported to fifa for the most blatant tapping up.

    I personally reckon Gouffran will be the only striker arrival this window and all their attention will go into bringing Carroll back in the summer… 😕 🙄

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  33. Although I am not happy at the Colo situation I still think he acted as a true professional on the field against Reading and was one of our better players. He has his weaknesses but technically he is a joy to watch at times. Pace height and lack of muscle are his weaknesses.

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  34. THanks JJ.. not sure how anyone can tell it’s Sissoko but it will be nice if true.

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  35. Aussie,

    True, but its not either of the other two linked. They have hair and aren’t as dark, and he is a big lad 6’2. So highly probable it is him.

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  36. Are we still going to be capable of fulfilling our home grown quota after a clear out this summer? I can defo see Carroll coming back, so that’s 1 english lad back. But who replaces Colo and Simmo?

    Can see the following exits;

    Colo
    Saylor
    Gosling
    Amalfitano
    Ranger
    One big player, Santon or Tiote.
    Xisco is a given.
    Dummett.

    Leaves a squad of;

    Krul, Elliot, ???
    Raylor, Debuchy, Santon, Heidara
    Mbiwa, Saylor, Willo, ???
    Obertan, Benny, Ferguson, ???
    Cabaye, Marveaux, Anita, Sissoko, Tiote (to go?)
    Cisse, Gouffran, Carroll, Campbell.

    So about 8 homegrown and 3 to come in on top of Carroll this summer. Possibly see Good taking Willo’s place in the squad and those like Sammy, Abeid, Tav etc going on loan.

    Wishful thinking that will get all these players in, but maybe they have finally woken up?

    Can also see a huge change in managerial system. We need more technical coaches to help Stone etc. possibly Dekka going too if Ashley has had go take over.

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  37. @danroan: Hearing Wigan have joined race to sign Newcastle’s Danny Simpson who apparently favours a move. 6 months left on his £25k/week contract

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  38. Shamrock – wouldn’t be surprised to see Krul on that list of exits. His form has dipped alarmingly this season. Why on earth he wasn’t diving out for Readings first I’ll never understand. It was only four yards out ffs. His only strategy this season seems to be stay on the line, open legs wide and hope for the best. Very disappointing. Maybe it’s the coach as I noticed Elliot being the same. Lot of goals through legs!

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  39. Absolutely delighted we got M’biwa and Debuchy. If we get Sissoko too that was my pre xmas wish list. Probably means Ashleys spending next summers money now.

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  40. Georgio, maybe it is coaching I dont know. However, cant see Krul going unless we get big bucks. He is one of very few players developed by our club capable of meaningfully contributing to our squad. Our homegrown stocks are low with all these foreigners coming in and we need to keep it at a decent level if we ever want go get into Europe again.

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  41. Also think Krul has still had a decent season despite the gash put in front of him…. He has made a few very good saves in other games…

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  42. Shamrock@ 54 ,you ain’t got Jonas on either of your list 😆 😉

    TAE@38, That could be a problem cause if they freeze him out the squad ,he won’t be getting competitive games until he comes to us in the summer and he’d be better off coming here now in that case.

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  43. Kim – He’s been that forgettable this season!

    Not sure we’ll sell him if Pardew stays? He’s teacher’s pet. Also unsure who would take him? He is on a decent contract until 2015. Can see him turning into one of our dead wood players running their contract down unless he’s willing to take a good hit in wages and the club are willing to offliad him very cheaply…

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  44. Said in the summer I wanted a CB and wing/forward as priority. If Goofy comes in we’ll have that with the added bonus of a new RB. But that was when I felt Ba might have been going but Cisse would be fine, can we cope if he gets injured? I’d rather have Benny or gouf leading the line than Shola, he can’t hack 90mins unless it’s against the mackems.

    If we can keep Colo and everyone else, pick up Siss and sell Tiote to cover some of the spending I’ll be a happy chappy.

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  45. TonyGreenSupreme says:
    January 23, 2013 at 12:44
    “ALLEZ THE LADS”
    ——————–
    That is fantastic 😀

    Regarding Mbiwa, it has been a long tim esince i was this excited about a signing. Young, athletic, strong, experienced, with a lot of potential left to realize. The guy has star potential and could end up being really good business.

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  46. Looks like Sissoko is definite. He’s been suspended by his club. I reckon it’s likely to happen this window now as there’s no point keeping him if he’s playing up like this.
    I would be worried about the lengths he’s going to, to get the move, but I guess HBA and others did the same and haven’t played up since being here.
    That would be awesome.
    Tiote being sold in the summer could fund Colo replacement and further striker reinforcement and our squad would be looking excellent. (though we need at least some striker now, and hopefully Colo won’t go until summer)

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  47. Dave- this is the latest from his father that I saw. Sounds like the club are trying to talk him into saying until the summer at least:

    “In the last few hours, Newcastle have bought a defender but that means nothing because they were looking for an option in that position anyway.

    “At Newcastle they are telling him to wait until May but the thing is that I don’t know if San Lorenzo are going to be able to wait until then.”

    ————————
    LOL. So San Lorenzo isn’t willing to wait a few months the get an Argie int’l for free 😕

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  48. Yeah I’ve seen that. But my point is they are miffed that we haven’t given them a world class player for free yet which, in my opinion is laughable. If they need a CB so badly let them buy one like everyone else does.

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  49. MDS I seen that lastnight and the icing on the cake is that they are getting on as if they have been hard done by 😆 god love them having to wait.

    ST I don’t think they will let him leave for buttons just out of badness as the the president sounds like a right nasty bastad, a bit like Lambastad

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  50. Big Dave says:
    January 23, 2013 at 14:51
    MDS I seen that lastnight
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    Aye….I’m 6 timezones behind…. 😉

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