Midfielder Merino makes Newcastle loan move

LONDON: Newcastle have signed Spain Under-21 international Mikel Merino from Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan, the newly-promoted English Premier League club announced Friday.

The 21-year-old midfielder made nine appearances for German club Dortmund last season and is north-east side Newcastle’s fifth signing since they returned to English football’s top flight.

“Mikel is a midfielder with talent, an Under-21 international for Spain. He’s a good size, has quality on the ball and he’s very, very focused and professional,” Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez told the club’s website.

“Hopefully he’s the kind of player we can improve a lot - he certainly has the mentality to get better and better,” added the Spaniard, a former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager.

Meanwhile Merino was looking forward to joining Newcastle“I know it’s a great club and a really nice city,” he said. “I had different options but I think this is the right place for me to play.

“It feels good and I’m very happy to be here, to be part of this club.“I’m looking forward to touching the ball, meeting my new team-mates and starting to play football.”Newcastle have also signed Christian Atsu, Florian Lejeune, Jacob Murphy and Javier Manquillo since winning the second-tier Championship title last season.