The French champion Yohan Cabaye has switched to Premier League after leaving Lille to pick Newcastle United. Cabaye, who has joined the French side back in 2004, is likely to sign a long-term deal, though the English side refused to offer any details regarding the transfer fee and the length of the contract. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has gathered 191 selections with Lille and scored 31 goals in seven seasons, helped Rudi Garcia’s side to win both the Ligue 1 title and the French Cup for the first time since 1053-54 season, third in club history. The Cup has also been their first since 1955, Lille beating PSG 1-0 in the big final.
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“This is a fantastic move for me. I have enjoyed great times with Lille but the time is right now to test myself against the best and playing for Newcastle United in the Premier League does just that,” said Cabaye after signing the Magpies who won’t compete in any of the continental competitions. The French player has thus missed the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League with Lille as Newcastle United finished the season 12th in Premiership, far from the first Europa League spot. Said Magpies coach Alan Pardew, who has joined Newcastle this season after Chris Hughton’s sacking: “He will add great quality to our squad and I am really looking forward to working with him.”
Apart from Cabaye’s move, Pardew has declared he would like to keep all Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan and Jose Enrique on St. James Park. Among these, Barton showed his desire to stay a Magpie, while Nolan is believed to have rejected the new deal, but refused to reveal his near future plans. Alan Smith could join him on the departing list, so Barton and Enrique are to stay in Newcastle. Nolan has joined the Magpies back in 2009 and has scored 29 goals in 85 appearances. As for Barton, the 28-year-old midfielder has signed the St. James side in 2007, scoring just seven goals in 79 games.
Cabaye is likely to replace Nolan in the midfield as the French finished the season with two goals. At the same time, he delivered nine assists at Lille, being the second best delivery man after Gervinho. Overall, the 2010-11 season brought him 35 league selections as well as 89 shots on goal. His international career includes four appearances for the national team of France.
