Newcastle sign Anita from Ajax

LONDON (AFP) –

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew on Thursday signed Holland midfielder Vurnon Anita, seen here in 2009, from Dutch champions Ajax.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew on Thursday signed Holland midfielder Vurnon Anita from Dutch champions Ajax.

Anita agreed a five-year contract with the English Premier League club after helping the Dutch giants win their second successive league title last season.

The 23-year-old, born on the island of Curacao, joined the Ajax youth academy in 1999 and made his first-team debut in 2006.

Anita, who has three caps for the Netherlands, can also play as a full-back and Pardew is reported to have paid around £6.5 million ($10.2 million, 8.3 million euros) for his services,

“We are delighted to secure the services of Vurnon,” Pardew told Newcastle’s website.

“He is an exceptionally talented footballer with great technical ability, which is exactly what I’m looking at in a player. And, at 23 years old, we hope his best years are at Newcastle.

“He has come through the Ajax youth system, which is world renowned for bringing up players the right way, and I am sure he will fit seamlessly into the squad of players we have here.

“Vurnon has done his pre-season, and indeed already played one competitive game, so he’s up to speed and ready to play when I need him.”