Moving north: Gael Bigirimana (left) has joined Newcastle United
Newcastle United have completed their second signing of the summer with the capture of highly-rated youngster Gael Bigirimana from Coventry City.
The 18-year-old moved to England as a refugee from Burundi when he was 11 and progressed from the Coventry Academy, making 26 appearances in the Championship during their relegation campaign.
Newcastle are thought to have paid £500,000 up front, with another £500,000 reliant on various performance-related clauses as the Magpies continue to invest heavily in their development squad.
Bigirimana, who has agreed a five-year deal, has already played for Congo at Under-18 level, but also qualifies for the England team on residency grounds and will link up with his new teammates for pre-season training next week.
Bigirimana joins Romain Amalfitano as a new signing on Tyneside, with manager Alan Pardew expected to discover over the weekend whether he has also landed Lille right-back Mathieu Debuchy.
Newcastle are also growing in confidence they will be able to hold on to the core of their squad, despite speculation surrounding the futures of Cheick Tiote, Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa.
United sources have told the Daily Telegraph that while there have been some enquiries asking for their valuations of the above, nobody has been willing to match the figures quoted to them.
Nevertheless, Pardew will not relax until the transfer window is shut given the relatively stagnant nature of the market so far this summer.
The Newcastle manager is also keen to sign at least another three players to strengthen his first team squad as a result of their return to European competition.
A move for FC Twente striker Luuk de Jong has stalled as Newcastle will not bid more than £10m for the 21-year-old, while centre-back Douglas will wait until August to move in order to receive Dutch citizenship
United sources have told the Daily Telegraph that while there have been some enquiries asking for their valuations of the above, nobody has been willing to match the figures quoted to them.
Nevertheless, Pardew will not relax until the transfer window is shut given the relatively stagnant nature of the market so far this summer.
The Newcastle manager is also keen to sign at least another three players to strengthen his first team squad as a result of their return to European competition.
A move for FC Twente striker Luuk de Jong has stalled as Newcastle will not bid more than £10m for the 21-year-old, while centre-back Douglas will wait until August to move in order to receive Dutch citizenship
