Newcastle sign Chancel Mbemba from Anderlecht pending work permit

Newcastle United have announced the signing of Anderlecht defender Chancel Mbemba for an undisclosed fee, subject to the player receiving the appropriate visa. ‘He also has an eye for goal which is an extra asset for us.

There are unlikely to be any issues, and if Mbemba arrives as expected he will join his former Anderlecht teammate Aleksandar Mitrovic at St James’ Park.

Mbemba will complete an £8million move from Anderlecht on a five-year contract.

The 20-year-old DR Congo global has now been granted governing body endorsement (GBE) at a Football Association panel hearing on Thursday, and will be able to launch his Newcastle career once he gets visa clearance.

However, there appears no chance of Mbemba appearing on Saturday against Borussia Monchengladbach.

The defender has been linked with the Magpies in the past, and the six-foot-tall full-back-cum-centre-back has already been capped 16 times by the Democratic Republic of Congo at the tender age of 20 and he looks set to become a real superstar. “This is the biggest league in the world and I’m very proud to wear the shirt for this team and play in this league”.

‘I’m sure our supporters will take to him very quickly.

Mbemba has become Newcastle’s third signing of the pre-season, with head coach Steve McClaren keen to tie up the remaining paperwork to ensure he is available for the team’s Premier League opener against Southampton on August 9.

“I’m very, very happy to be here”, he told the club’s official website. ‘I am excited for the season ahead.

“I’m sure our supporters will take to him very quickly, he’s the sort of player fans will enjoy watching.”