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Obertan Joins Newcastle
Written by Newcastle Utd
Pacy winger Gabriel Obertan has signed for Newcastle from Manchester United on a permanent deal
By Dan King - Newcastle United Communications Officer
Gabriel Obertan has joined Newcastle today on a five-year deal from Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United.
Former French under-21 international Obertan - who scored twice against The Magpies' Reserves in March - has put pen to paper after passing a medical and will go into Alan Pardew's squad for the home game against Arsenal on Saturday.
He made a total of 15 appearances for Manchester United last season and becomes the fifth French-born player to arrive at St. James' Park this summer, following Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba, Sylvain Marveaux and Mehdi Abeid.
Like Hatem Ben Arfa, the 22-year-old winger is a product of the world-renowned Clairefontaine academy and began his professional career with Bordeaux, making his debut as a 17-year-old.
In July 2009 Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford and during his two seasons with the Red Devils, he was part of last season's title-winning team as well as playing in the Champions League.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew told nufc.co.uk: "Gabriel is a player I've watched for the last couple of seasons since he arrived at Manchester United.
"He has great pace and excellent technique and he has improved his power in the last 12 months and is ready now to make a real impact in the Premier League.
"I contacted Sir Alex about him early at the start of the summer to see if there was an opportunity to bring him to Newcastle, but it wasn't until Wayne Routledge joined Swansea that we were able to bring him in.
"His best years are ahead of him which is exactly what we want at this club, and with the backing of our magnificent fans I'm sure he will prove an excellent signing for us."