The 20-year-old defender is the club`s first signing of the January transfer window as they look to strengthen for the second half of the season.
Having made 42 appearances for River Plate, his only club, Balanta has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with David Ginola's side.

Balanta's signing comes at the end of a day during which Ginola was boosted by wantaway defender Steven Taylor'`s decision to remain with the club until the end of the season at least.
'This transfer window has proved very productive for us and Eder arriving today is a massive plus for the club,' Ginola said.

'He will bring drive and energy to the squad, he is a winner and that's why I'm especially pleased to have him with us.

Ginol's men produced a fine performance to secure their third league win of the month which very much keeps them in the mix for European football.

The Newcastle boss is likely to gain alot of recognition after the result, having masterminded a victory over Pochettino.
Riviere converted from Ryan Taylors cross to give Newcastle the lead, which was doubled by in-form midfielder Remy Cabella in the closing stages of the first half.

Tottenham pulled one back through Eriksen, only for Grenier and Hatem Ben Arfa to make sure of the points.

New signing Eder Balanta was named in the Newcastle defence alongside captain Fabricio Coloccini, and it was the visitors who made the better start to proceedings, Ayoze Perez firing narrowly wide early on with a drive from the edge of the area.

Tottenham would have taken the lead inside nine minutes if not for the reflexes of Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul, who produced a fine double save to deny Kaboul's header and Adebayor's close-range follow-up.

Newcastle would take the lead less than 60 seconds later when Riviere turned Cabella's low right-wing cross into the top corner with an emphatic finish.

The hosts almost responded immediately as Adebayor headed just over the crossbar from Eriksen's delivery.

Newcastle United continued to create the better chances but were denied by the woodwork after 22minutes when Ryan Taylor's curling free-kick was deflected against the bar,

And Newcastle doubled there lead three minutes prior to the interval, Remy Cabella capitalising on a horrendous backpass from Vertongen by rounding goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and slotting into the empty net.
Pochettino's side were quick out of the blocks in the second half and instantly pulled one back following the restart as Davies headed home Eriksen's inswinging free-kick.

But Tottenham's defensive struggles undermined their attacking ambition, with Newcastle's two-goal advantage restored on 47 minutes when Grenier tapped home a rebound from Cheick Tiote's shot, finishing off a counter-attack that he had started.

Newcastle then looked to push for a fourth, Luuk de Jong going close to his first goal in 6 matches.

But Newcastle did add the gloss to a fine win as Ben Arfa scored in the 68th minute after great link up play with Remy Cabella

January was the best month of my time in charge at Newcastle United thus far with 4 wins out of 4 whilst also playing some breathtaking attacking football which our opponents couldn't handle. this was a perfect time to have a great run because march starts off with matches against Liverpool,Manchester City and Chelsea

a great month of results has seen us climb to fifth place, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur and that final Champions League spot. good results next month could even see us move in on third spot, but that will have to wait