Malick Thiaw's arrival on Tyneside helps ease Newcastle's frustrating transfer window. The defender seems to have been high on Eddie Howe's list of targets for some time and it is easy to see why. He is a modern defensive hybrid and possesses a rare combination of physical and technical attributes.

Newcastle United have signed German defender Malick Thiaw from Serie A side AC Milan, the Premier League club said late on Tuesday.

The signing of the Germany defender ends Eddie Howe's long pursuit of a centre-back and is a major boost in a difficult summer