Newcastle sign Mallorca's 'Spiderman'
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
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Newcastle United FC have signed 24-year-old Argentinian international winger Jonás Gutiérrez from Spanish side RCD Mallorca for an undisclosed fee.
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'A terrific addition'
The former CA Vélez Sársfield player becomes the Premier League club's first summer recruit after agreeing a five-year contract at St James' Park. Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan said: "Jonás is a wonderful signing for us. A lot of other clubs have been interested in him and he'll be a terrific addition to the squad. He's an exciting player and I'm sure our fans will enjoy watching him." The 24-year-old, nicknamed 'Spiderman' for wearing a webbed mask as part of his goal celebrations, helped Mallorca finish seventh in the Primera División in 2007/08. He made a total of 96 top-flight appearances, spanning three seasons, for the Balearic team. Newcastle were 12th in England last term.