Today it has been announced that the deal to bring the Japanese striker, Yoshinori Muto, to St James Park has been officially completed.
The transfer had been all but completed apart from the acquisition of the required work permit.
Whilst we were all expecting there to be no problems with the work permit, there’s always the nagging suspicion that something might go amiss.
But, that wasn’t the case.
Instead, Muto, on completing his move from Mainz, for a reported fee of £9.5 million, becomes the first Japanese player to sign for Newcastle, putting pen to a four-year contract.
The club announced the deal on their official Twitter account with Rafa having this to say about the deal;
Rafa Benítez: "I am really pleased to have Yoshinori Muto with us. We were following him for quite a while. Hopefully he can bring us his energy and work-rate and help the team to improve and be better for the new season.” #NUFC pic.twitter.com/N6BIhdriZm
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 2, 2018
As for the player himself, he had these fine words for us all:
Here's what Yoshinori Muto had to say after becoming Newcastle United's fifth signing of the summer.
Read more: https://t.co/ppiWnv1Bzd #NUFC pic.twitter.com/gRkF6Y1Nfp
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 2, 2018
As for the views of the Newcastle support they kind of echo the mood at the moment when it comes to the clubs’ direction:
Poor lad doesn't know what he's getting himself into.
— Craig (@LostSoulsForEva) August 2, 2018
Have we sold him on for a profit yet?
— Matt Brown (@MattJB8818) August 2, 2018
But, with a week of possible wheeling and dealing still to go, perhaps matters might improve!
Let’s hope so!