Some brilliant news in the last few moments, with the club announcing that Martin Dubravka has now completed a permanent move to Newcastle United – signing a 4-year-deal to keep him at the club until 2022.
The fee is believed to be in the region of £4m – an absolute snip in this day and age given just how good he’s been since arriving on loan in January.
The Slovakian international may have only made 12 appearances in black and white, but he shone from the off.
He made several key saves during a dream debut against Man Utd – a result which kick-started our run of form which saw us climb up to 10th in the table – and ended his season with yet another home clean sheet during our 3-0 win over Chelsea at St James’ Park.
He’s impressed on so many levels, being calm, a good communicator, commanding from crosses and a superb shot stopper, so he’s more than earned a permanent stay with the club:
IT'S DONE! ??
We're delighted to confirm the permanent signing of Martin Dúbravka from @ACSparta_EN!
Full story: https://t.co/jK4kv1l5Ix #NUFC pic.twitter.com/viwceGbbu1
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 30, 2018
Here’s what Rafa’s had to say since:
“Ever since he arrived with us on loan he has shown a fantastic attitude and great work ethic, and of course we have been very impressed with his performances for us on the pitch last season.
“This was one of the key positions we had identified we needed to strengthen and had been concerned about, so it is excellent news that we are able now to sign him on a permanent basis.
“The loan deal with an option to buy was the perfect deal for the club.
“It is credit to Lee Charnley and also Steve Nickson for putting that in place because it gave me and my staff the opportunity to look at him and work with him and see how he would perform for us before committing to signing him permanently.
“It has been very good business for the club and we now say congratulations to Martin and look forward to having him with us for the long term at Newcastle United.”
What a signing!
Hopefully the first of many this summer.