Newcastle capture Senegal´s Cisse

Newcastle United have confirmed the signing of striker Papiss Cisse from Bundesliga club Freiburg for an undisclosed fee.

The Senegal international, who reportedly cost Newcastle 10 million pounds, signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the club on Tuesday.

Cisse scored 22 goals in 32 Bundesliga matches last season, firing Freiburg to ninth place, their highest league finish since 2001.

The 26-year-old, who has netted nine goals so far this campaign, will line-up alongside international colleague Demba Ba at Newcastle when the duo return from the African Cup of Nations.

Cisse will wear the number nine shirt made famous by the likes of Jackie Milburn and Alan Shearer.

“I would like to thank everybody for their welcome, and for inviting me to sign for the club,” Cisse told Newcastle’s website.

“It is an honour to play for such a big club and I am looking forward to it.”

“I want to pay back the confidence the club have shown in me, and give the supporters something to be proud of.”

“I am aware of the huge importance of the number nine shirt, and when I spoke with the manager he made it very clear how important this shirt is.”

“I will treat it with the respect and I hope to do my very best in this shirt.”

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said Cisse has been in his sights following Andy Carroll’s departure to Liverpool on the final day of last season’s January transfer window.

“Ever since Andy Carroll left, Papiss was my first choice,” Pardew said.

“He is a finisher with an already-established CV in the Bundesliga, where we have monitored him for the best part of two years.”

“Unfortunately he was out of reach, financially, for us in the summer, but it recently became apparent that Derek Llambias and Lee Charnley could do the deal in this window.”

“In the short-term, of course, he is at the Africa Cup of Nations, but the competition he will bring to our squad when he joins up with us should inspire the players and reassure them of this club’s ambition.”

“Our fans know that this shirt brings its own pressures. One of the iconic numbers in world football – the number nine of Newcastle.”

“It will be only fair that Papiss is given time to understand the responsibility it brings.”

“As the manager, I wish him all the luck in the world to bring success to himself and this club.”