Newcastle United have confirmed the loan signing of AS Roma forward, Seydou Doumbia.
The Ivory Coast international moves to St. James’ Park until the end of the season, after spending the first six months of the season on loan at his former club, CSKA Moscow.
The 28-year-old passed his medical on Sunday afternoon, and the club have officially confirmed the signing today.
Doumbia started his career in his native Ivory Coast, with AS Athlétic Adjamé. He signed for AS Denguélé on loan in 2005 where he was the Côte d’Ivoire Premier Division top scorer for that season, netting 15 times.
He briefly moved to Japan before moving to Swiss club BSC Young Boys, where he scored an impressive 57 goals in 78 appearances in all competitions.
After two seasons of scintillating form in Switzerland, Doumbia signed for CSKA Moscow in 2010. His impressive strike rate didn’t cool down in Russia either, scoring 84 goals in 129 games in all competitions.
In Januray 2015, Doumbia signed for Italian giants AS Roma in a fee worth around €15m.
However, the 28-year-old didn’t manage to replicate similar form in Italy, only scoring twice in thirteen appearances.
Doumbia re-signed for CSKA on loan in August, and scored 11 goals in 21 appearances during his second spell in Russia.
Internationally, Doumbia has netted five times in 33 games for the Ivory Coast.
Doumbia joins Newcastle with an option for the deal to be made permanent in the summer.
Regarding his move to St. James’ Park, Doumbia admitted it was a dream move:
“I’m delighted to be a Newcastle United player.
“I’ve already started to prepare, I’ve arrived and I’m ready to go.
“It has always been a dream to play in the Premier League and now that dream has come true, so I’m absolutely delighted!
“I am looking forward to helping the club get some wins and climb the table.”
