Newcastle have signed Senegal midfielder Henri Saivet from French club Bordeaux, the Premier League strugglers confirmed on Monday.

Saivet has moved to St James' Park for a reported fee of around £5 million ($7.2 million, 6.6 million euros).

The 25-year-old, who was Bordeaux's captain, agreed a five-and-a-half-year contract and is Newcastle's first signing of the January transfer window.

"I am very happy to be here at Newcastle. I am really proud to be able to play for this club, and I am really excited at the challenge that lies ahead," Saivet told Newcastle's website.

"St James' Park is a really impressive and special stadium. In France, there is nothing that compares to this, and I can't wait to get out there with my new team-mates and help the team climb the table."

Saivet joins a Newcastle team in the midst of a relegation battle, with Steve McClaren's side 18th place in the Premier League having lost their last four games in all competitions 1-0.

"Henri is someone the club has been watching for a while, and he has developed into an excellent player at Bordeaux," McClaren said.

"This is someone with a very good mentality, who is a tough player and a winner. Those are key qualities you need in the Premier League and we are looking forward to seeing him pulling on the Newcastle United shirt."

Saivet came through the ranks at Bordeaux, making his senior debut at the age of 17 and going on to score 23 goals in 178 appearances.
Source: AFP