Newcastle United have completed the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels from Genk, after passing his medical on Tuesday afternoon.
Sels, who was being monitored by a number of Premier League clubs, made the switch to Tyneside for a fee believed to be around €4.5 million and signed on for a five-year-deal.
The 24-year-old is an accomplished domestic and international goalkeeper, after winning the Professional Goalkeeper of the Year award in Belgium last season and representing his home nation Belgium at both under-17 and under-21 level.
He joined KAA Gent from Lierse S.K in January 2014 and helped them become the champions of the Belgian Pro League in the 2014/15 season, after keeping a total of 18 clean sheets for the Belgian champions. Sels has gone on to make 106 appearances in all competitions for Gent.
Further to bringing great domestic success, he brings European experience to St. James’ Park after appearing in the Champions League last season for Genk last season. The highlight for keeper was that Sels made a fantastic one-handed penalty save just two minutes from full-time to ensure a draw with Lyon.
On his move Sels commented:
“As soon as Newcastle showed their interest in me, and I spoke to the coach, Rafa Benitez, it was an easy decision to make”.
” I am very pleased, I’m very happy to be here. In Belgium, Newcastle is a really big club, and that’s why I chose Newcastle.”
Twitter: Just signed 5-years contract in Newcastle.. Proud to be a Magpie! @NUFC @KAAGent https://t.co/tRghSqj5yO (@MatzSels)
This makes Matz Sels, Rafa Benitez’s first signing for the Magpies. The Newcastle boss went on to say:
“I am really pleased to welcome Matz to the club. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper and many top clubs have been interested in signing him”
“We have injuries to Tim Krul and Rob Elliot which could be difficult for us in the first part of the season, so it was important to strengthen in this area.”
Sels now becomes the fifth goalkeeper in Newcastle’s ranks, he joins Tim Krul, Rob Elliot, Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman.
Krul has just returned from a season-long knee injury but is being monitored by former Magpies boss Alan Pardew to join Crystal Palace.
