Newcastle FC have today signed Spanish International midfielder Albert Luque from Deportivo la Coruna, for a fee in the region of £10m (€14.5m). He has completed his medical, and has signed a contract for the next five years at St. James' Park.

27 year old Luque is an attacking left-sided midfielder/Striker and played most of his career so far with Spanish side Mallorca, where he started in 1998. Apart from a year at fellow La Liga rivals Málaga (1999-2000), he stayed at Mallorca until 2002, when he moved to Deportivo la Coruna.

His first International call-up came in 2002, and he has been ever-present in the International team since then.

In terms of club football, the season 2003/2004 can be considered his breakthrough on to the European stage. He became an indispensible player for his team because of his stunning performances and his tally of goals, especially in the Champions League, and they were of enormous value to Deportivo.

Newcastle will hope that the player will fit in to the team easily, and no doubt the St. james' Park faithful will warm to him instantly.

"It is very important for the squad to obtain great new players, and Luque will fill the left-sided role that we are missing" Newcastle manager Graeme Souness said after the signing.

Newcastle club Captain, and former England captain Alan Shearer was in agreement, "We will welcome him, and we hope that he does very well for us", he said in a press conference.

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