Chelsea winger Christian Atsu has put pen to paper on a season long loan, according to the BBC.
The deal had been widely expected this week with the 24 year-old heavily linked with a move to St James Park. He has yet to play for Chelsea but has been to (deep breath) Vitesse, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga and now Tyneside, on loan.
Apparently he was a late substitute in Everton’s 3 – 0 win over us in 2014/15 but for the life of me, I can’t remember seeing him play. His career seems to have been one of fits and starts, with plenty of substitute appearances.
Rafa and his team will have analysed the lad’s strengths and weaknesses but at 24, it’s just a bit disconcerting that he’s only made 113 appearances and only 15 in the last two seasons.
Still, 42 caps for his country is nothing to be sniffed at although with Ghana expected to qualify for the African Cup of Nations, does that mean we lose him for 6 – 8 weeks in the New Year?
Anyway, that’s for then; this is now. Good luck in your time with us.