Cisse signing delights Newcastle boss

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew believes his new striker Papiss Demba Cisse is the perfect replacement for Andy Carroll after landing the player on a five-and-a-half year deal from German side Freiburg.

The 26-year-old Senegal international will join compatriot Demba Ba in the Magpies strikeforce once the pair return from duty at the African Nations Cup and Pardew admitted he was delighted to get his man.

Pardew told Newcastle’s website: “Ever since Andy Carroll left, Papiss was my first choice in the specific role he has had at the end of the play.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He is a finisher with an already-established CV in the Bundesliga, where we have monitored him for the best part of two years.

“Unfortunately, he was out of reach, financially, for us in the summer, but it recently became apparent that Derek Llambias (managing director) and Lee Charnley (club secretary) could do the deal in this window.

“I spoke to Demba about Papiss, and he cannot wait to join up with his team-mate in Newcastle.”

Cisse scored 22 Bundesliga goals last season and has already scored nine goals this term. He will be handed the iconic No 9 shirt by the Magpies. “I will treat it with respect,” he said.