NEWCASTLE have completed the signing of Spanish Under-21 international Mikel Merino on a season-long loan deal.
Merino has been snapped up from Borussia Dortmund by Toon boss Rafa Benitez as he looks to build a squad capable of thriving in the Premier League
Merino has been long-regarded as a promising talent in Spain, and played a key role in helping the country reach the final of the European U21 championship in the summer.
He burst onto the scene as a teenager at Osasuna, where he became a first-team regular with a string of impressive displays in the heart of their midfield.
That persuaded Bundesliga club Dortmund to snap him up on a five-year deal last summer, believing he would go on to establish himself as a top performer there.
Having found his starting opportunities limited last season, Dortmund have decided to let the 21-year-old spend a season at Newcastle which they believe will see him develop his game.
And manager Benitez admits he is delighted to bring in a player he has been following for several years.
Benitez said: “Mikel is a midfielder with talent, an U21 international for Spain.
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"He's a good size, has quality on the ball and he's very, very focused and professional.
"Hopefully he's the kind of player we can improve a lot - he certainly has the mentality to get better and better.
“He comes from a top side in Dortmund and although he did not play too much last season, he was signed as a young, talented player and to be signed by a club like that shows that he has something good.
"He has to show what he has, and hopefully he can enjoy playing here for a long time."
Merino becomes the fifth signing Newcastle have made, and reveals he had options to go elsewhere this summer but wanted to move to the North East.
Merino said: "It feels good and I'm very happy to be here, to be part of this club. I'm looking forward to touching the ball, meeting my new team-mates and starting to play football.
"I know it's a great club and a really nice city.
"I had different options but I think this is the right place for me to play."
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