Newcastle get their man at last (Video)

After trying to recruit him in the summer, Newcastle have finally secured the signing of France international right back Mathieu Debuchy.

The 27-year-old has spent the last two decades in his homeland at Lille, but now travels to Tyneside to test himself in the Premier League.  Debuchy made his debut for the French club in 2004 and went on to make 308 appearances, scoring 17 goals.  As well having the experience of regularly playing for one of the best teams in Ligue 1, he has also competed in the Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup) or the Champions League in seven out of 10 seasons with Lille.  Debuchy’s highlights at the club include a Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France victory in an impressive double-winning season in 2011, as well as being named in UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year in 2012.

Whilst he featured regularly for France during their Euro 2012 campaign in Poland and Ukraine, Debuchy made his debut for the national team relatively late.  Despite being called up by Laurent Blanc in 2010, he did not win his first cap until November 2011.  Since then he has made a further 11 for Les Bleus appearances and scored a solitary goal, which came in a friendly against Iceland prior to last summer’s European Championships.

With Newcastle currently struggling with injuries and poor form, Alan Pardew will hope Debuchy can settle quickly and help turn things around at the North East club.

Follow @TonyDefc