By ,
Published January 13, 2015
Newcastle has completed the signing of Lille defender Mathieu Debuchy on a 5 1/2-year contract, it was confirmed on Friday.
The 27-year-old Debuchy has spent his entire career with Lille, appearing in over 230 games for the club, but the move to Newcastle comes as no surprise considering he was strongly linked to the Magpies over the summer.
"It is great to become a Newcastle United player," Debuchy said. "After many great years at Lille I felt I was ready for a new challenge, and cannot wait to play for such a big club in the best league in the world.
"I hope I can bring something fresh to the team and help us get up to the highest possible position in the Premier League this season. I will give everything for this club."
Debuchy helped Lille capture the Ligue 1 title in 2011 and has been capped 12 times by France.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/debuchy-joins-newcastle-from-lille