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Cheick's Mate - Tiote Hails Birthday Boy
Written by Newcastle Utd
Cheick Tiote knew Chancel Mbemba before he arrived on Tyneside - and told nufc.co.uk all about him
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Cheick Tiote knew all about Chancel Mbemba before he arrived on Tyneside - and believes Newcastle United have landed themselves a star.
Mbemba, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Saturday, signed from Anderlecht last week, putting pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Magpies after being granted a work permit.
The defender pulled on a United shirt just 48 hours later, coming off the substitutes' bench for the closing stages of their pre-season friendly defeat against Borussia Monchengladbach.
That cameo showed enough to suggest Mbemba could fit right in at St. James' Park, just reinfocing what Newcastle's Ivorian enforcer, Tiote, already knew.
"I used to play for Anderlecht," he explained, as United get set to start their Barclays Premier League campaign against Southampton on Sunday (1.30pm kick-off).
"Chancel wasn't there at the same time but when I have gone back to Belgium to watch them play in the stadium, I met him and got to know him.
"I have seen plenty of him on television, too, in Anderlecht's games, and I have also played against him in Africa Cup of Nations qualification games, so I know all about him.
"He is very good player, who has good technique and is very good at passing the ball. He is a strong defender and will help the team a lot.
"It's a great signing for us. He is only young but could be a very important player for us this season.
"The squad is looking good, with Chancel, Alek and Gini coming in, and we are excited about the new season."
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