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Ireland midfielder Jeff Hendrick signs 4-year deal at Newcastle

Jeff Hendrick has completed his free transfer to Newcastle United.  The 28-year old was a free a...



Ireland midfielder Jeff Hendri...
Soccer

Ireland midfielder Jeff Hendrick signs 4-year deal at Newcastle

Jeff Hendrick has completed his free transfer to Newcastle United. 

The 28-year old was a free agent having seen his contract expire at fellow Premier League side Burnley last month.

Hendrick has signed a four-year deal at St. James's Park.

"Jeff is someone I've admired for a long time," his new manager Steve Bruce said.

"I watched him when he was at Derby, then he went to Burnley for a lot of money and couldn't afford him, so I missed out then!

"He's an experienced international football who can play all across the midfield so we welcome him aboard. He'll be a big asset to us, on and off the pitch.

"He's a great pro, down to earth, and at the age of 28 it's a wonderful time to get somebody. It is the peak of his career - he's a really fit boy who has played 122 times in the Premier League for Burnley over the last four years, and I'm sure he'll be a great addition to the squad."

Hendrick is Newcastle's second free transfer of the close season, following the arrival from Motherwell of goalkeeper Mark Gillespie.

Bruce said last week that Newcastle have to "box clever" in the transfer market, after a Saudi-led takeover of the club fell through.

Completion of his Newcastle move comes on the same day Hendrick was included in Stephen Kenny's 23-man Republic of Ireland squad for next month's Nations League games with Bulgaria and Finland.

The former Derby man says he "can't wait" to get started with the Magpies, "It's a massive club and playing over the years, going to the stadium, it's one of the best stadiums to play in, so I just want to get playing there.

"I've had over 100 games in the Premier League but I want to keep going and keep improving with a different team. It's going to be different for me, the demands with the bigger stadium, the crowd, how big the club is, so I've got to take that on and keep pushing myself and striving to get better."

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Burnley Ireland Jeff Hendrick Newcastle Newcastle United Premier League Republic Of Ireland