ANTHONY ELANGA has become Newcastle United’s first summer signing in a £55million deal from Nottingham Forest.
The Swedish international, 23, has penned a five-year deal on Tyneside as Eddie Howe finally got his man.
Toon failed in an effort to bring the winger to St. James’ last year and then had a £45m bid rejected last month for the star.
But now Elanga will finally pull on the Black and White and he cannot wait to start providing the ammunition for his national team-mate Alexander Isak.
An elated Elanga said: “I’m excited, I’m really happy but most importantly I’m ready.
“I’m ready to put on this black and white top to really fight for this team and give everything for the passionate fanbase that lives and breathes football.
“I had an amazing two years at Nottingham Forest, they really helped me to become the player I am today, but I’m really happy to be here now.
“The club won a trophy last season and are building something unique, something special that I really want to be part of.
“I really want to buy into the culture, into the DNA of this club. I’m really happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started.”
His former club, Manchester United, have also benefited from the move.
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They’ve pocketed a £5m windfall as part of the £15m transfer move that took Elanga to Forest in 2023.
The speedster scored six goals and provided 11 assists to help Nuno Espirito Santo’s side finish seventh and qualify for the Europa Conference League last term.
Forest will not only have to look to sign a replacement for Elanga, but could now also have to fill a Morgan Gibbs-White-sized hole in the team.
Tottenham Hotspur activated the England midfielder’s £60m release clause on Thursday.
Gibbs-White was due to put pen to paper on a long-term contract today, but his transfer has been blocked by Forest.
The East Midlanders are delaying the transfer and are consulting legal advice as they believe Spurs had made an “illegal approach” for the star.
SunSport understand it is unlikely the club can block the move during this year’s summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, the Toon fans were left frustrated earlier this week after thinking Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi was on his way to the club.
Supporters had tracked a private jet to the North East only to discover that it was carrying Simon Adingra, ahead of his switch to rivals Sunderland from Brighton.
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