USMNT star DeAndre Yedlin has sealed a permanent move to St. James Park, as Newcastle United has bought the former Sunderland player from Tottenham Hotspur.
Yedlin, 23, will continue his defensive education on a five-year deal under a man who knows how to teach: Rafa Benitez.
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The right back was a pivotal part of Sunderland’s survival in the Premier League last season, which coincidentally sent Newcastle down to the Championship.
With Daryl Janmaat off to Watford, Yedlin allows Newcastle to use versatile Vurnon Anita in other roles.
Here’s what Yedlin had to say about the switch to the other side of Northeast England:“Newcastle is such a big and historic club, and I’m excited to have the honour of playing for them. Hopefully I can do great things here,” said Yedlin.
“I’m excited to learn under Rafa Benitez as well. He has an amazing résumé and I know he will help improve me a lot.
“I can’t wait to get started.”
Oddly enough, as U.S. hopeful Lynden Gooch gets playing town across town at Premier League outfit Sunderland, the last American to play for the Magpies was Oguchi “Gooch” Onyewu.
#WelcomeDeAndre! ⚫️⚪️🇺🇸 #NUFC pic.twitter.com/aUBAbkgpBs
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 24, 2016