Soccer-Newcastle sign Belgium forward Fernandez-Pardo from Lille

Newcastle United have ​signed Belgium forward ​Matias Fernandez-Pardo ‌from Lille ​on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said ‌on Tuesday. Details regarding the transfer fee and contract length were not disclosed, but British media reported ‌Newcastle paid £51.4 million ($69.6 million) for the 21-year-old.

Fernandez-Pardo, ‌who is Newcastle's eighth signing of the transfer window, helped Lille secure UEFA Champions League qualification last ⁠season. "In ​terms of ⁠my own career progression, it made complete sense to ⁠come so I didn't hesitate at all," Fernandez-Pardo ​said in a statement. "I'm still young, I'm ⁠still hungry, and that's why I'm here."

Newcastle coach Matthias ⁠Jaissle ​highlighted the forward's versatility. "Matias is a highly technical player with explosiveness in ⁠his game," Jaissle said. "He can score and assist, he ⁠has ⁠courage, and he has the ability to take players on."