Rafael Benitez signs three year deal to stay at Newcastle United

Rafael Benitez has agreed a three-year deal to stay on as Newcastle United manager.

Sky Sports News HQ reported earlier on Wednesday that the Spaniard had struck a deal to extend his tenure, despite failing to prevent the team's drop to the Championship.



The 56-year-old signed a three-year contract when replacing Steve McClaren in March, but the agreement was reported to include an option to cancel at the end of the season.

However, the club have managed to persuade Benitez to remain at St James' Park and announced the news on Wednesday evening. A statement on the club's website read: "Newcastle are delighted to confirm that Rafa Benitez will remain as Newcastle United manager, after signing a new initial three-year contract.

"On Wednesday afternoon the Spaniard put pen to paper on the deal which will keep him on Tyneside until at least the summer of 2019. Benitez will have day-to-day responsibility for all football-related matters at the club."



Benitez said: "I am extremely pleased to be staying at Newcastle United. The love I could feel from the fans was a big influence for me in my decision to stay, as was my relationship with Lee Charnley and all the staff, this is a huge club and I wanted to be part of the great future I can see for Newcastle United."

"I am sure we can be where we belong again. But we must work hard - but it's not easy, for me it's a challenge. I have a reputation, I have won trophies and now it's time for a project. I can see the possibilities.

"I am convinced we can go up next season. I am convinced we can win trophies - that's why I am sitting here today"

Tim Krul swaps Newcastle for Watford

Watford have signed 6ft 5in goalkeeper Tim Krul from Newcastle United in a shock $27,000,000 deal, Krul joins the Vicarage Road payroll on a three-and-a-half year contract after slipping down the pecking order at St James Park.



The former ADO Den Haag keeper, who was also wanted by Spanish club Espanyol has not played a single minute this season after suffering a freak injury whilst on international duty midway through last season.

And by washing his hands of Krul, who has made 163 appearances in the top flight, Rafa Benitez is set to give young keeper Karl Darlow a chance to show what he can do, despite not making a senior appearance for the club as of yet

Krul, 28, will provide competition for Hornets No.1 Heurelho Gomes and he said: “It was the best option for me. I like the manager, I like the players and I have made a good choice.

“I know Gomes well from playing against him before. He is a nice guy but I will fight for my position.”



Also following Krul out the door are strikers Emmanuel Riviere and Papiss Cisse who have moved to Hull City (10.75m) and Palermo (10m) respectively.

Emmanuel Riviere joined Newcastle United two years ago but only managed to score 1 in 24 appearances leading many to believe hes not quite ready for the EPL. Papiss Cisse had a better time at the club than Emmanuel, banging in 34 goals in 93 appearances, but his time at the club was ruined by constant niggling injuries and never had any kind of sustained run in the first team.

Newcastle confirm signing of Chris Martin from Derby County

Newcastle United have signed striker Chris Martin on a two-year deal from Derby County,

Born and raised in Suffolk in eastern England, Martin began his career at Norwich City, joining the club's books at the age of 10 and making his professional début at 18 in the 2006-07 season. He fell out of favour in the 2007-08 season and spent the 2008–09 season on loan at Luton Town. On his return to Norwich, he was an important first team player as the club recorded successive promotions from League One and the Championship in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.

However, upon the club's return to the Premier League, he found himself out of favour and spent part of the 2011-12 season on loan at Crystal Palace and parts of the 2012–13 season on loan at Swindon Town and Derby County. At the end of the season, he agreed a deal to join Derby on a permanent basis, signing a three-year contract and moving to the club on a free transfer ahead of the 2013-14 season. He ended the season as the club's top goalscorer, with 25 goals in all competitions, as the club reached the 2014 Football League Championship play-off Final. He signed a new four-year contract in August 2014 and was also the club's top goalscorer for the 2014–15 season, with 21 goals in all league and cup matches.

Martin was eligible to play international football for either England or Scotland, where his father was born. He represented England at under-19 level in 2007. Seven years later he was first selected for the senior Scotland team, for which he made his full international début in May 2014. He scored his first goal for Scotland in October 2015.



The Scottish international said: “There will be pressure here, for sure, but I like pressure. I also know about the famous players who have played for Newcastle United, like Alan Shearer who is a hero around here. I hope I can play like him and score big goals for this club. It will be an honour.

“I am so happy to have signed for Newcastle. I visited the stadium yesterday and it’s amazing. I have played here before, but it will be alot different playing in the black and white of Newcastle United.

“I know how passionate the fans are. This is a club with a very big history and the fans are a big part of that.

Rafa Benitez has had his say on his latest recruit:

“I think this is a fantastic signing for us. We’ve fought off a lot of competition to secure a top striker here in the Championship, Chris can help Aleksander and Adam (Armstrong) in taking us straight back up to the Premier League."

Pre season got underway with a four game tour of Scotland for matches against Dunfermline, Falkirk, Livingston and St Mirren, and they proved to be no threat whatsoever as we banged in 15 goals in 4 games. Mitrovic, Perez and Adam Armstrong each grabbing two apiece in our tour.
we then traveled back to England and a trip to Doncaster awaited us, new signing Chris Martin getting a goal on his debut in a straight forward 1-0 win

OGC Nice were up next, this time at St James Park, Wijnaldum gave us the lead in the 35th minute with a clever finish from the edge of the box, and thats how it stayed in a fairly boring affair.

A resounding 5-1 win over Racing Santander was followed up by a behind closed door friendly against Gateshead which we won 3-1 thanks to goals from Martin, Sammy Ameobi and Wijnaldum

Newcastle United's Moussa Sissoko signs new deal that will keep him on Tyneside until 2020

Newcastle United have announced that Moussa Sissoko has signed a new and improved long-term deal at St James’ Park, the midfielder has committed his future to United until 2020

The development halts any potential late scares for Newcastle fans in the transfer window. And as the Chronicle reported on June 10th, the Magpies have underlined their commitment to retain their best players by retaining Sissoko.



Sissoko signed from Toulouse in 2013 for just $3.2milion after impressing in Ligue 1

The midfielder has since scored 13 goals in 86 Premier League appearances for the Magpies.

Sissoko said: “It’s a special day for me, a big day for me, the truth is I’m really happy here, so it’s a good thing for me – and I hope it’s the same for the Geordie family. “Newcastle gave me everything and I’m really pleased to sign this new contract.”

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez added: “I am delighted that Moussa has signed a new deal, he is a very good player with huge quality and someone we believe can take us back to the Premier League at the first time of asking"

“We are building this Club for the long-term and Moussa is a very important part of that. Sissoko had attracted interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, but the news was being celebrated by Toon fans via social media today.