holicman
02-08-2007, 03:39 PM
United States international Oguchi Onyewu has joined Newcastle United on loan for the rest of the season after passing a medical at St James' Park.
The Standard Liege stopper arrives to strengthen Glenn Roeder's injury ravaged squad in a deal first revealed by skysports.com.
'Gooch', as the defender is known, will help add some international experience to a Magpies defence that has taken on a youthful look in recent weeks due to a succession of injuries.
The former Metz man had been on the brink of joining North East rivals Middlesbrough in the summer before a move to The Riverside fell through.
After playing for his country in the World Cup, Onyewu was also linked with European luminaries such as Chelsea, Real Madrid, Internazionale, Milan and Marseille - before a move to Fulham also failed to materialise earlier this month.
However he has now signed up to help Roeder's cause on Tyneside until the end of the current campaign, and could join on a permanent basis if he impresses in the coming months.
"We have secured Oguchi Onyewu. He comes across as an impressive person - he is certainly physically impressive, which is something I feel we need," said Roeder.
"I watched him a few times and (assistant manager) Nigel Pearson watched him a few times when he was at West Brom last year.
"They were particularly keen to sign him, but Oguchi was looking to step higher if he could, and he feels coming here to Newcastle for the next 12 games or so that he can make a good enough impression to make it a permanent move.
"I certainly hope so. I am delighted to have him."
Is he what Newcastle have been looking for ??
The Standard Liege stopper arrives to strengthen Glenn Roeder's injury ravaged squad in a deal first revealed by skysports.com.
'Gooch', as the defender is known, will help add some international experience to a Magpies defence that has taken on a youthful look in recent weeks due to a succession of injuries.
The former Metz man had been on the brink of joining North East rivals Middlesbrough in the summer before a move to The Riverside fell through.
After playing for his country in the World Cup, Onyewu was also linked with European luminaries such as Chelsea, Real Madrid, Internazionale, Milan and Marseille - before a move to Fulham also failed to materialise earlier this month.
However he has now signed up to help Roeder's cause on Tyneside until the end of the current campaign, and could join on a permanent basis if he impresses in the coming months.
"We have secured Oguchi Onyewu. He comes across as an impressive person - he is certainly physically impressive, which is something I feel we need," said Roeder.
"I watched him a few times and (assistant manager) Nigel Pearson watched him a few times when he was at West Brom last year.
"They were particularly keen to sign him, but Oguchi was looking to step higher if he could, and he feels coming here to Newcastle for the next 12 games or so that he can make a good enough impression to make it a permanent move.
"I certainly hope so. I am delighted to have him."
Is he what Newcastle have been looking for ??