Newcastle have completed the loan signing from Inter of Austria international winger Valentino Lazaro.
The 23-year old started his career with Red Bull Salzburg and also played for two years at Hertha Berlin before moving to Inter in July of 2019.
Lazaro has only started 3 Serie A games for Antonio Conte's side, with Antonio Candreva preferred down the right flank. The arrival of Victor Moses would have only served to push Lazaro further down the pecking order.
He's made 28 appearances for his country, scoring 3 times. Lazaro started in Austria's 2018 World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in June of 2017.
The winger won't be involved in Saturday's FA Cup 4th round clash with Oxford at St. James's Park, but will make his debut against Norwich City the following weekend.
He's Newcastle's second signing of the January window following Nabil Bentaleb's loan acquisition from Schalke 04.
Lazaro says the promise of more appearances was key in convincing him to join the Premier League side, "Number 1 reason is of course playing time - that's what it's all about - I want to play more and show my abilities.
"The talks with the coach were very convincing that I have a chance here to get a lot of playing time."
Despite the promise of more games and a new manager to impress, Lazaro did need some convincing to make the move, "To be honest, it was not an easy decision for me - 'will I go to England? If so, to which club? Or to Germany, or will I stay in Milan and keep fighting for my chance?'
"It was the great talks that I've had and the conversations that have convinced me here I can have a good step in my career and help the team reach its goals. I've only heard good things."
🗣 "I've had good talks with the coach and everybody around the club so I feel very happy to be here now."
Valentino Lazaro speaks with NUFC TV after joining on loan until the end of the season. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 24, 2020
Lazaro will wear the no.23 shirt during his time on Tyneside.
Manager Steve Bruce is delighted to add more attacking options to his side, "Valentino is a quality player who'll add to us in attacking areas of the field, where we need to improve.
"He can play in a few positions but he is a natural winger with an excellent delivery.
"We have worked hard to get him ahead of other clubs, so I'm delighted with what we've done. Along with Nabil Bentaleb, he'll give us strong options."
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