The Newcastle boss has signed teenage midfielder Gael Bigirimana from Coventry City. The Burundi-born 18-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee, which it is understood could amount to around £1million.
Bigirimana's move follows the arrival of French midfielder Romain Amalfitano.
He is expected to go straight into the club's development squad, rather than the first team.
The youngster arrived in England in 2004 as a refugee from his war-torn homeland and went for a trial at Coventry as an 11-year-old.
He played in the npower Championship on 26 occasions last season and was subsequently named Football League Apprentice of the Year.
Gael Bigirimana: "It's a dream, it's a dream for me. Since I was a kid, I always watched the football - the Premier League and also big leagues - and I always hoped that one day I would make it.
"But I didn't realise it would be this soon, so it's an exciting moment in my life and a challenge which I am looking forward to.
"Coventry was a great place for me - I couldn't have hoped for better people to help me in my football career. I really appreciate Coventry and I will always love them.
"It's my home, because when I moved from Africa, that's where I lived and the experience I had at Coventry, it was an amazing time.
"For me to move to Newcastle, which is a big, big, massive move for me, and I still can't believe it. It's like I am still dreaming."
Source: FOOTYMAD
