Source: Northern_Echo
Ben Arfa completes £5m Magpies switch
HATEM BEN ARFA has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at Newcastle United after a fee in the region of around £5m was accepted by Marseille.[LNB] Ben Arfa, who is currently recovering from a broken leg sustained at Manchester City in October, arrived on loan in September and instantly impressed with his creative style.[LNB] Now, despite a change of manager at St James' Park, new boss Alan Pardew was keen to push through his first signing during this month's transfer window and he has done just that.[LNB] Ben Arfa said: "I am absolutely delighted to be signing for Newcastle United on a permanent basis. During my short time with the club I enjoyed playing for them and in front of the supporters too. This is a great club and I am very happy to commit to them.[LNB] "I am getting back to fitness as quickly as I can and I am really looking forward to getting back to St James' Park, seeing and working with Alan Pardew and his staff."[LNB] Pardew, who also hopes to strike deals for a couple of loan players this month, had no hesitation in completing a full-time move - even if it cost him £5m of his transfer fund.[LNB] "One of my priorities was to secure Hatem on a permanent basis," said Pardew. "The last thing I wanted was for us to lose him when his loan ended at the the end of the season.[LNB] "He's obviously a top player and he's shown that in France, at international level and in his short time at Newcastle." [LNB]
