Newcastle have agreed fee for Ajax defender Vurnon Anita

[Chrispy]

Reports in Holland say Newcastle have agreed a fee with Ajax for versatile defender Vurnon Anita.

Anita, 23, has wanted out of Ajax for some time, after 13 years with the club, and has rejected a lucrative new contract for a chance to play in the Premier League.

Ajax's new sporting director Marc Overmars said last month that the club wanted to nail Anita down to a new deal, telling De Telegraaf: "Vurnon is very important for the team and we do not want to lose him."

But boss Frank De Boer today confirmed that a deal with the Magpies was all but wrapped up, with the business moving on to personal terms.

"Anita is close to an agreement with Newcastle," De Boer told the league's official website.

Anita, 5ft 6in, can play in midfield or at left-back – and will help boss Alan Pardew shore up a defence that was cruelly exposed by Cardiff on Saturday in a humbling 4-1 friendly defeat.
It's been a frustrating summer in the transfer market for Pardew, with the long-running pursuit of France star Mathieu Debuchy yet to pay off.

So what could Newcastle be getting with Anita? Here's one of those 'every touch in the game' videos (for diehard Toon fans only)....

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...206?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

I like to pick him up in fifa sometimes......

 

[Dpfan21]

I think it's a pretty good pick up for Newcastle

 

[kyhadley]

Thought we were only making threads for big names.

 

[Chrispy]

Thought we were only making threads for big names.

Just trying to create threads to get some more activity since that is what the leaders want :dd:

 

[kyhadley]

Just trying to create threads to get some more activity since that is what the leaders want :dd:

I know. That was mostly tongue in cheek.

 

[Chrispy]

Deal is done

Newcastle United complete signing of the Ajax midfielder Vurnon Anita

Newcastle United have completed the signing of the Ajax midfielder Vurnon Anita for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old Holland international has signed a five-year deal at the St James' Park. The Newcastle manager, Alan Pardew, told the club's website: "We are delighted to secure the services of Vurnon."

Anita, who can also play as a full-back, joined the Ajax youth academy in 1999 and made his first-team debut in 2006.

Born on the island of Curaçao, he had established himself as a key player at the Amsterdam Arena, winning back-to-back Eredivisie titles in 2011 and 2012.

Pardew added: "He is an exceptionally talented footballer with great technical ability, which is exactly what I'm looking at in a player. And, at 23 years old, we hope his best years are at Newcastle.

"He has come through the Ajax youth system which is world renowned for bringing up players the right way, and I am sure he will fit seamlessly into the squad of players we have here.
"Vurnon has done his pre-season, and indeed already played one competitive game, so he's up to speed and ready to play when I need him."

Under Martin Jol at Ajax, Anita became a first-team regular in the 2009-10 season, playing mainly at left-back.

But after Jol's departure in December 2010, the new head coach, Frank de Boer, moved the player to defensive midfield.

Anita has played three times for the Netherlands and will wear the No 8 shirt for his new team. Newcastle begin their Premier League campaign at home to Tottenham on Saturday.
Anita, a key member of the Ajax team that won back-to-back league titles in 2011 and 2012, told the Newcastle website: "I won almost everything in Holland so the step was not difficult to make. Now I think we can also win trophies with Newcastle and it's time to do that."

Anita made his debut for Ajax in 2006 aged 16 and also won the 2010 Dutch Cup. He said that his fellow Dutch international and Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul had convinced him to join. "He told me to join and said it was a very nice club with great supporters."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/16/newcastle-united-sign-vurnon-anita?newsfeed=true

 

[BigHouseUSA]

Will be playing midfield, presumably in a triangle with Tiote and Cabaye. I've seen him play twice, so I can't comment too much, but it sounds like he's a quality player. Another sign we're looking to play a more fluid game this year.

Pardew's hoping for one more signing, and I guess that will be Debuchy. Wish we could get two more, but it's not going to happen.

 

[calgaryballer]

Would really like Douglas and another attacker. Williamson, Taylor and Colo is decent at CB but dunno if we can count on them to be so injury free this year.

Also on the wings I assume it will be Ba and Ben Arfa on the wings. Obertan and Jonas are good, but would like a but more depth and creativity

Even in midfield, I like our three. But we lost Guthrie who stepped in well last year. Need to get something from Abeid, Marveux and Vucick. Perhaps Mini Ameobi will be our answer on the wing. Depth is my real concer

 

[BigHouseUSA]

I'm really excited for Marveaux if he stays healthy, hasn't failed to impress me yet. It looks like Amalfitano is being used most out on the wing too. I'd love Douglas and Debuchy, we still need more depth up top, but I'd be more than happy with that team going into the season.

 

[calgaryballer]

Agreed. It's been a rare experience going in to a season as an nufc fan feeling we are in solid shape