Newcastle United have made their first transfer of the current January transfer window with the signing of England defender Kieran Trippier.

31-year-old Trippierhas joined Newcastle United from Spanish La Liga club Atletico Madrid for a fee believed to be around £12m plus add-ons. He had 18 months left on his contract with Spanish champions Atletico Madrid before he made the move to Newcastle United. Trippier has signed a two-and-a-half year deal until the end of the 2023-24 season.

The English fullback is the first signing at Newcastle United since the Saudi-led takeover of the club in October 2021. He has been handed the number 15 jersey at the club.

On the signing of Trippier whom he worked with when he was the Burnley manager, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe said thatthe 35-cap England international joined the club for the challenge rather than the financial benefits. Howe made this known during his pre-match reaction ahead of the FA Cup third round home clash against League One team Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon.

The Newcastle United manager said that the Trippier signing shows that the Magpies have a huge pull and it’s not financial.

Howe was named the Newcastle United boss in place of the sacked Steve Bruce in November 2021. He was responsible for the signing of Trippier at Burnley in 2012.

The Magpies have been handed a major boost with the signing of an international fullback like Trippier in their quest to survive the relegation zone in the Premier League this season. They are presently in the bottom three on the Premier League log after a solitary win all season.

Newcastle United are two points off  safety on the league table after a return of just eleven points from 20 games. Their next league game is at home to Watford next weekend.