Source: Northern_Echo
Geremi departs
NEWCASTLE have freed around £1.5m from their wage bill by allowing midfield misfit Geremi to join Turkish side Ankaragucu on an 18- month deal.[LNB] The Cameroon international was paraded in the Turkish capital Ankara yesterday, after Newcastle officials gave him permission to discuss the terms of his departure.[LNB] Geremi's contract was due to expire in the summer, but by allowing him to leave early, the Magpies have saved themselves around £60,000-aweek for the next six months.[LNB] That money should help manager Chris Hughton as he attempts to make signings of his own before the transfer window closes at the end of January.[LNB] Geremi has made just three Championship appearances this season, and while Hughton spoke of his value as a squad member as recently as last week, the United boss clearly deemed the 31-year-old surplus to requirements some time ago.[LNB] His last senior start for the Magpies came on October 20, and he would have missed almost all of this month anyway as he represents Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations.[LNB] In total, Geremi made 54 appearances after joining Newcastle on a free transfer from Chelsea in July 2007. He scored three goals, the most memorable of which came in a 4-1 win at Tottenham in March 2008.[LNB] He also spent time in the North-East with Middlesbrough, and is returning to Turkey after spending two seasons with Genclebirgli in the late 1990s.[LNB] He joins an Ankaragucu side that also features former England international Darius Vassell.[LNB] Former Newcastle winger Nolberto Solano has joined League One Colchester on loan until the end of the season. It's a lovely opportunity at 35 years of age to still be wanted, said Solano.[LNB]
