Newcastle have completed the signing of Davide Santon from Inter Milan on a five year contract, with the fee undisclosed by the Premier League club.
The Magpies have been in the market for a left back following the sale of Jose Enrique to Liverpool, and the 20-year-old is expected to slot straight into the St James’ Park first team.
The seven-times capped Italy international first broke through at the Giuseppe Meazza under Jose Mourinho, but has found opportunities in Serie A limited of late, and spent the second half of last season on loan at Cesena.
“We are delighted to bring to Davide to Newcastle. He is a quality left-back and an established international who also gives us flexibility in defence,” manager Alan Pardew told the side’s official website.
“Davide is a young lad and a great signing for us and I am sure he will adapt to the Premier League very quickly.”
The player was happy to sign for the Tyneside outfit also, and his agent revealed yesterday that he chose Pardew’s men over Roma.
“I am really pleased to sign for Newcastle. The chance to play in the Premier League and in front of 50,000 fans at St. James’ Park was too good to turn down. This is an ambitious club who want to move forward and help them achieve,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s search for a new striker is set to go down to the wire, as they chase Manchester United’s Federico Macheda and Sochaux’s Modibo Maiga.