Steve Bruce has spoken of his sheer delight following the double-signing of former Bournemouth duo Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser.
The duo put pen to paper at St James’ Park today, with Wilson signing a four-year deal to wrap up his £20m move, while Fraser arrival on a free sees him committed to the club until 2025 via a five-year contract.
Here’s what an ecstatic Steve Bruce had to say to NUFC.co.uk on both, starting with 28-year-old striker Callum Wilson:
“Callum is somebody I’ve admired for a long time and I’m delighted to get him.
“He has done fantastically well at Bournemouth and was deservedly playing centre forward for England less than two years ago.
“The club has worked ever so hard to get Callum here and we have beaten off competition from a number of clubs.
“I’m grateful the club has made it happen. Lee Charnley and those behind the scenes deserve a lot of credit.”
Not only do we have a forward with Premier League pedigree in Wilson, there’s only talk of him taking the number 9 shirt from Joelinton – who could well play in a slightly deeper role following his arrival.
Bruce then discussed Fraser’s arrival, revealing how we beat off ‘big competition’ to sign the Scot – who has a brilliant track record when playing alongside fellow new boy Wilson:
“I’m delighted to bring Ryan to Newcastle United.
“We have held off big competition to get his signature and that says a lot about what this club has to offer.
“His ability and his contributions on the pitch speak for themselves and I’m looking forward to seeing him getting to work in a Newcastle shirt.
“He has wonderful chemistry on the pitch with Callum Wilson, which excites me, and I hope it excites our supporters ahead of the new season.”
Both brilliant signings, but the pair together could give us that extra bit of understanding in attack, with them combining to make 12 goals in 2018/19 – a record only Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton (13) have bettered in a single Premier League season.
Great news – and there could well be more to come, with Jamal Lewis expected to arrive at St James’ Park in the next 24-48 hours!
It’s not often we say this as fans, but hats off to Lee Charnley here, with Bruce quite rightfully praising the work that’s gone on behind the scenes over the past week to get both deals wrapped up.
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