Newcastle United confirm Papiss Cisse capture

Newcastle United have completed the signing of striker Papiss Cisse from Freiburg for a fee believed to be in the region of £9m.

The 26-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal with the Tyneside club.

"I would like to thank everybody for their welcome, and for inviting me to sign for the club," the Senegalese frontman told the club's website.

"It is an honour to play for such a big club and I am looking forward to it."

Cisse, who has made 12 appearances for Senegal, scoring seven goals, will wear the number nine black and white shirt.

"I am aware of the huge importance of the number nine shirt," he added. "When I spoke with the manager he made it very clear how important this shirt is.

"I will treat it with the respect and I hope to do my very best in this shirt."

Cisse is an international teammate of soon-to-be striker partner Demba Ba and the Toon faithful will be hoping that the pair can form a strong partnership.

Magpies fans will have to wait to see their new signing as he is now on a private jet back to Dakar to join up with his country at the Africa Cup of Nations.