Magpies swoop for Cabaye
Cabaye had been closely linked with the Magpies since helping Lille win the French league and cup double last season.
The highly-rated 25-year-old has also been capped by France, making his international debut against Norway in August last year.
Cabaye flew in to Newcastle 0n Thursday after helping France to a 1-0 win over Poland in Gdansk.
That was his fourth cap of a blossoming career for Les Bleus and while he was also an integral part as Lille won Ligue 1 for the first time in over 50 years he believes a move to Newcastle is a step up in his career.
“This is a fantastic move for me,” he said.
“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.”
Alan Pardew was pleased to tie the midfielder down to a long-term deal as he looks to build upon his side’s 12th-placed finish last term.
“We are delighted to have signed Yohan on a five-year contract,” the former West Ham boss said.
“He has a first-class pedigree having proved himself at the top level in France, both for his club and the national team. He will add great quality to our squad and I am really looking forward to working with him.”
Meanwhile, teenage Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku says he will be at the club for pre-season training, despite reported interest from Chelsea.
The 18-year-old has already broken into the Belgium national side and is attracting interest from across Europe.
However, Lukaku insists suggestions a deal is imminent are wide of the mark, and says he is only focused on his school exams.
The striker said: “I read a lot in the paper about me these days.
“Some journalists try to sell information they don’t always know about. Please know that my current and only focus is ... passing my exams. After that I’ll have some holiday and will start the pre-season with RSCA [Anderlecht].”
The players’ agent Christophe Henrotay added no negotiations had taken place with Chelsea, who are still to appoint a successor to Carlo Ancelotti.
“There has not yet been a meeting between Chelsea and Anderlecht, nothing can be concluded,” Henrotay told Belgian newspaper Het Belang van Limburg.
“Anderlecht want a lot of money for Lukaku, he costs more than two million you know — it will take more time.”
However, Anderlecht general manager Herman van Holsbeeck expects a deal to happen sooner or later as the Belgian club plan for the future.
“Sure he will leave, and his departure is crucial to our transfers,” Van Holsbeeck told Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen.
“I do not know if it will be Chelsea, there are many big clubs interested and we are negotiating. One thing is certain, he will not spend another year with Anderlecht.”
Ipswich have signed striker Michael Chopra from fellow Championship club Cardiff for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old has agreed a three-year contract with the Suffolk club.
Chopra said: “I enjoyed my time at Cardiff but this is a new start for me and I’m looking forward to it.”
Striker Marlon King has joined Birmingham after turning down a new contract with npower Championship rivals Coventry.
And former Manchester City striker Uwe Rosler has today been appointed the new manager of League One Brentford who turned to the 42-year-old German after St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes rejected the opportunity to replace interim boss Nicky Forster last month.
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