Diatta secures Magpies deal
07 Mar 2008 - 16:02:11
Newcastle United have completed the signing of Senegal international defender Lamine Diatta on a short-term deal running until the end of the season.
The 32-year-old centre-half was a free agent after leaving Turkish club Besiktas and impressed while training with the Magpies in the past few weeks.
United boss Kevin Keegan told The Chronicle: "We have not got much cover if we pick up any more injuries to our defenders and Diatta will provide this.
"It was common sense, like an insurance policy. He'll benefit us from the fact that he's a centre-half and an international player.
"We've been able to sign a player when you can't sign anybody because of his circumstances.
"I've been very impressed with his attitude from what I've seen around the training ground.
"He's come over in a very honest and determined way to earn a contract and, after four days, I felt it was the sensible thing to do."
Diatta moved to Turkey last summer, having made his name in France during spells with Toulouse, Rennes, Lyon and St Etienne.