Debuchy deal confirmed as Ba slams door shut on Newcastle

Debuchy deal done One in and one out today at St James' Park as two pieces of well known transfer news reach a conclusion.

Incoming we now have Mathieu Debuchy added to our ranks after a long and drawn out affair that dated back all the way to the summer, and outgoing we have Demba Ba who has left the club and signed for Chelsea. Neither part is exactly new news but it does draw a line under two pieces of speculation and now everyone can move on.

First off Mathieu Debuchy, who will wear the number 26 shirt at St James' Park. The 27-year-old French international joins ranks with his good friend Yohan Cabaye and has signed a five-and-a-half year deal with the club for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £5 million. As is tradition with a new signing, Debuchy has been speaking to the official club website.

"It is great to become a Newcastle United player." Debuchy told nufc.co.uk.

"After many great years at Lille I felt I was ready for a new challenge, and cannot wait to play for such a big club in the best league in the world."

He added: "I hope I can bring something fresh to the team and help us get up to the highest possible position in the Premier League this season. I will give everything for this Club."

Alan Pardew has also had his say on the matter and it seems he is happy to finally get his man and add to his squad ahead what is a vital run in for the side.

"We are absolutely delighted to have finally secured the signature of Mathieu," Pardew said.

"It's no secret we've been trailing him for some time now and to have reached this point fills me with great excitement and anticipation in respect of what he will be able to offer the team. At the same time it's a huge relief to actually have him with us now."

"He is an established top international player and it is a real coup for this Club that we now have him at St. James' Park. Mathieu will add real quality to our team, in terms of his ability, character and experience and I am sure he will quickly become a firm favourite among our fans too," Pardew concluded.

Meanwhile, daarrrrn sarrrrfff, Demba Ba has competed his switch to Chelsea and has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the club. It was always a matter of when, not if, he signed on the line for Chelsea but at least we know where we stand. Ba admits it was an "easy decision" to join the Stamford Bridge outfit.

"It feels good to be here, I'm very happy and very proud," the 27-year-old told the Chelsea club website.

"It was important for me, and for Newcastle, to get my future sorted and now we can move on. Now they have the whole month to buy someone. Now I am here I just need to get settled in."

Ba added: "When the club who won the Champions League wants you, the decision is very easy. This club is massive and that's something that helped the decision a lot. It was not a hard one."

So one in and one out, but are you happy about it?