Newcastle confirm £4.5m signing of Matz Sels to give Rafa Benitez his first addition
- Matz Sels completed his transfer to Newcastle on Wednesday morning
- Rafa Benitez had made signing new keeper his priority at St James' Park
- Middlesbrough had held talks while Southampton have also shown interest
Newcastle United have confirmed the arrival of Gent goalkeeper Matz Sels.
The Belgium Under 21 international has completed a £4.5million transfer, signing a five-year contract in the process.
Newcastle needed to add a keeper with Tim Krul, who Everton have targeted after the departure of Tim Howard, not fit until October. Second-choice Rob Elliot is also recovering from a knee injury. Rafa Benitez was happy to confirm his first signing since taking the Newcastle job.
Newcastle United have completed the £4.5million transfer of Belgium U21 international goalkeeper Matz Sels
Sels said that as soon as he spoke to the club and manager he was keen to make the switch to Newcastle
Sels turned down possible moves to a pair of Premier League sides in Middlesbrough and Southampton
The manager said: '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.
'Obviously 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 to be sure we can make a strong start in the Championship.'
Sels added: 'I'm very pleased - I'm very happy to be here. In Belgium, Newcastle is a really big club, and that's why I chose Newcastle.
'As soon as Newcastle showed their interest in me, and I spoke to the coach, Rafa Benitez, it was an easy decision to make.'
Rafa Benitez expressed his delight at signing Sels after injuries to goalkeepers Tim Krul and Rob Elliot
Benitez viewed the arrival of a new No 1 goalkeeper as his priority after confirming his stay at Newcastle
Sels proved a safe pair of hands to Belgian club Gent after he kept 15 clean sheets in 48 appearances
Karl Darlow made nine Premier League appearances last season following injuries to Krul and Elliot, but Rafa Benitez has earmarked a new No 1 as his first priority since committing himself to St James' Park.
Middlesbrough had held talks with Gent while Southampton have also shown interest but 24-year-old Sels was set on teaming up with Benitez.
Sels made 48 appearances in Belgian Pro League last term, keeping 15 clean sheets as Gent finished runners up to champions Club Brugge.
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