Newcastle United have announced the signing of striker Callum Wilson on a four-year contract from English Championship club Bournemouth.
The Premier League club say he has joined for an undisclosed fee although it has been reported to be €22.25 million (£20 million).
Wilson suffered relegation from the English top-flight with the Cherries last season and felt that he could not turn down a chance to move to such a big club.
"From the minute I knew that Newcastle were interested, it was definitely something that appealed to me," said Wilson.
"It's a massive club with great history. Along the years, they've had great strikers so if I can emulate half of what they've done, I'd like to attempt that.
"I believe in my ability as a player. As a striker I think it's important to set yourself goals long term and short term, and I'm hoping to achieve them.
"With the players around me, I believe we can get the goals we need as team and I want to help contribute to that."
📸 Raring to go! 😁#NUFC pic.twitter.com/X7GUXXfddI
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 7, 2020
Wilson had a mixed season last season in the Premier League, scoring five times in the first seven matches but he only managed another three goals for the rest of the season.
Newcastle will be hoping he can become more prolific for them after spending €45 million (£40 million) last summer on Brazilian striker Joelinton who only managed to find the net four times in 44 appearances.
His new boss Steve Bruce expressed his joy over the signing of the four-times capped England international.
"Callum is somebody I’ve admired for a long time and I’m delighted to get him," said Bruce.
"He has done fantastically well at Bournemouth and was deservedly playing centre forward for England less than two years ago.
"The club has worked ever so hard to get Callum here and we have beaten off competition from a number of clubs.
"I’m grateful the club has made it happen. Lee Charnley and those behind the scenes deserve a lot of credit."
Wilson began his career at hometown club Coventry City, rising through the club’s academy and enjoying loan spells at Kettering and Tamworth before scoring 23 goals in 55 senior appearances for the Sky Blues.
After moving to AFC Bournemouth in 2014, Wilson helped fire the Cherries to promotion in his first season – scoring 20 goals in 45 Championship outings. In total he scored 67 goals in 187 appearances for his former club.
His performances brought full international recognition in November 2018, with Wilson scoring on his England debut against the United States at Wembley.
(Main photo: nufc.co.uk)
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