The wait has felt agonising at times in recent days but Kieran Trippier is finally a Newcastle United player.
He has become the first signing of the new era and has signed a two-and-a-half year contract after signing from Spanish Champions Atletico Madrid.
Trippier has swapped the Champions League for a chance to be part of what is going on at St James’ Park, making his return to English football after leaving in 2019.
Two of his former Atletico teammates, Rodrigo Riquelme and Miguel San Roman, have reacted to his departure already.
They were in the comments of the Instagram post Trippier uploaded to celebrate the confirmation of his arrival.
There were plenty more well-wishes in the replies too, including messages from Manchester United captain Harry Maguire and former Magpie Jermaine Jenas.
Trippier has said he came back to England to be closer to his family and he has embraced the challenge of trying to take Newcastle up the league under the new ownership.
Trippier will be a big miss for Atletico, having established himself as a dependable part of their backline also capable of adding creativity and crossing ability to their disciplined, regimented side.
It is a good first capture for Newcastle and getting him in right at the start of the window lays down a marker.
That is both to the rest of the league – especially the sides in the relegation battle – but also to other potential targets, who may be more inclined to come now that Trippier has committed his future to the club.
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