Lloyd Kelly's ex-teammate tells BBC why he's a top signing for Newcastle - Great comments

Former Bournemouth centre-back Steve Cook has explained why Lloyd Kelly will be a superb signing for Newcastle United.

Reacting to news that his former Cherries teammate will sign a five-year deal on Tyneside as a free agent, Cook only had good things to say about Kelly, calling him a "lovely footballer" who is "physically amazing", "extremely fast" and a "specimen of a man" who is also "very good" technically and a great character.

Cook - who know plays for QPR in the Championship - also hailed his versatility and believes Eddie Howe will help take his game to the "next level".

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, he said: “I think from a Bournemouth point of view, it’s really disappointing to lose a quality player like Lloydy.

“He’s physically excellent, lovely footballer. He’s physically amazing, he’s extremely fast, a specimen of a man. Technically he is a very good footballer. It’s a huge loss for Bournemouth and a great signing for Newcastle United.

“He can play centre-half in a back four, left centre-half in a back five, and left-back, so he’s very versatile, at such a young age as well. Newcastle are getting a great player and Bournemouth are obviously losing one.

“It’s exciting for Lloyd going to such a huge club as Newcastle United. I think probably the stature of club, Bournemouth will eventually get there, they’ve got great plans for the training ground and the stadium… but I think that Newcastle, where they are aiming – they just missed out on Europe this year, but making finals and playing in Europe quite recently is a massive pull.

“The timing for him, he can leave on a free and go to a huge club, test himself pushing for Champions League football. He is joining a manager [in Eddie Howe] and a coaching staff that he knows extremely well, who will take his game to the next level.

“I’d see it probably as unfinished business, with COVID hitting when Lloydy had just signed, with Eddie Howe leaving when we got relegated. I think if you ask anyone in the club, no one would give you a bad word, with how professional he is.”

Brilliant comments from Cook - a player that will know Kelly very well - that suggest we've not only signed a very decent player but also a great character who will fit in nicely at Eddie Howe's Newcastle United.