Newcastle United have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Mikel Merino – and the club’s supporters are ecstatic on Twitter with the news.
The Magpies confirmed on their official website that they have exercised an option to buy the 21-year-old on a permanent basis.
That means his loan move from Borussia Dortmund has converted into a full-time one with immediate effect.
Merino has now penned a five-year deal at St James’ Park and ended his one-year stay with Dortmund in the process.
The central midfielder has hit the ground running in the Premier League following his loan move in the summer and the North East club have acted promptly to active a clause in his contract after seven games for them.
Chief sports writer for the Northern Echo Scott Wilson reported that the Merino deal will cost £8million in total with the initial loan fee.
Newcastle fans are overjoyed on social media with the announcement and are predicting him to be a key player for them in the next few years.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Who needs Pogba for £93m when u can have Merino for £8m #NUFC pic.twitter.com/j1Z4DGBJdK
— Kris.? ? (@hoothoot81) October 13, 2017
What a deal!!! Merino is an absolute baller, will 100% be a starter for Spain in a couple years!! #NUFC https://t.co/HpX4Bq65xB
— Scott Geere (@ScottGeere) October 13, 2017
To early to start drinking????
— Samuel Brown (@sammyb9999ipad1) October 13, 2017
Excellent player. Build team around this lad and Shelvey for next 2-3 seasons.. ??
— MacItSo (@MacItSo) October 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/TheOptimisticG/status/918748404443942912
Great move by #NUFC
— Matt Upton (@mattjupton) October 13, 2017
Amazing news! Scary thing is. He will just get better with age! Good luck @mikelmerino1
— Daryl Taylor (@darylbethyname) October 13, 2017
Merino has become an ever-present in Rafael Benitez’s side already this season and the technically gifted midfielder has become an instant fan favourite.
The central midfielder has shown that he can dictate games with his brilliant range of passing and also has the ugly side of his game too.
He starred for Spain’s Under-21s side during the international break with a goal and is being tipped for a very bright future.
Newcastle supporters are excited about the possibility of Merino and Jonjo Shelvey striking up a great midfield partnership in future years.