Onyewu Joins Magpies On Loan
(Goal.com) - Newcastle United have, as expected, signed United States international defender Oguchi Onyewu on loan from Belgian side Standard Liege for the rest of the season.
Onyewu, 24, successfully underwent a medical at St James' Park on Monday.
"We have secured Oguchi Onyewu. He comes across as an impressive person - he is certainly physically impressive," said Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder.
"West Brom were keen to sign him last year, but Oguchi was looking to step higher if he could."
Newcastle have agreed an option to make Onyewu's transfer permanent in the summer.
The Magpies won the race for his signature ahead of several clubs across Europe, apparently including Chelsea.
He previously played for Metz, and played in each of the USA's three World Cup matches in the summer, and was voted the US Soccer Athlete of 2006.
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Comments
Nice. Good move for Onweyu. Now he should get plenty of chances to prove himself in a top league. If he can play well, this move should pay off for him nicely. Good luck Gooch.
Posted by: yoyo | January 30, 2007 01:59 PM
Good luck mate!
Posted by: rouge 7 | January 30, 2007 03:09 PM
Onyewu is a huge talent, the move is good for both.
Posted by: Tesoro | January 30, 2007 07:45 PM
Definitely a solid move for Gooch. With the injury troubles Newcastle are having, he'll get plenty of playing opportunities, which will give him every chance of earning a permanent contract at the end of the season. And even if Newcastle pass on him, it's still a great showcase for him to get picked up by another club when his loan stint is up.
Should be fun to see him face top strikers on a weekly basis now.
Posted by: Heath Young | January 31, 2007 10:32 AM
Good move for the Gooch, he now will get the exposure he deserves.
He will also be exposed to refs in the Premiership which won't put up with his
"hands on style" (grabbing-pulling etc.).
He is a great player and wish him the best, a couple more players like that in the back and the USA could see a "no goal patrol".
Hope he can make it back across the pond for the USA Mexico match.
Posted by: eddy | January 31, 2007 11:28 AM
eddy, Onyewu & Jay Demerrit could be a great tandem in the center of defense. You have to build your team from the back. Putting those two together in the back would lay a great foundation.
Posted by: Ghost Rider | February 2, 2007 06:54 PM
bit of a surprise but im sure his stature will make him fit in just fine in the EPL
Posted by: bredred | February 6, 2007 12:40 PM