Who is… Newcastle’s new midfield signing Henri Saivet?
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It’s rarely dull for Newcastle fans on Tyneside, but this season has been pretty grim under Steve McClaren, so the Toon Army will be hoping their latest signing goes some way to changing their fortunes.
The Magpies have snapped up the sought-after midfielder Henri Saivet from Bordeaux, and while the fee hasn’t been confirmed it’s believed to be around £5m.
Saivet has been a one-club man until now, joining Bordeaux’s youth set-up back in 2002.
The 25-year-old made his first team debut in western France at just 17 years old, and was a part – albeit a minor one – of the team which claimed the 2008-2009 Ligue 1 title.
That success led to Champions League experience for Saivet, who started Bordeaux’s final group game against Maccabi Haifa. The French side beat Bayern Munich twice en route to topping the group.
Les Girondins have failed to scale such heights since that title and subsequent run to the last eight in the Champions League, and after eight years in the first team, it seems Saivet is ready for pastures new.
Saivet has often played out wide for Bordeaux, but Newcastle are signing a player who is equally comfortable, if not more so in the middle of the park.
With only Swansea and Aston Villa scoring fewer than the Toon’s 19 Premier League goals this season, Newcastle will be relishing Saivet’s creative nature.
Saivet has already enjoyed some success in England this season, netting for Bordeaux against Liverpool at Anfield in the Europa League.
A fine eye for a through-ball or a cross, plus a penchant for a belting penalty could see this highly-rated midfielder quickly become a hero at St James’ Park.
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