Newcastle sign Atsu on permanent deal from Chelsea

(Reuters) - Newcastle United signed midfielder Christian Atsu on a four-year deal from Chelsea on Wednesday after he helped Rafael Benitez's side return to the Premier League during a loan spell last season.

Newcastle activated the option to sign the 25-year-old Ghanaian who scored five times in 32 league appearances to help them secure the Championship title.

"Christian has been a key part of our promotion campaign and he wants to help us to build something for the future," Benitez said in a statement.

"He's shown us that he's a good professional and someone who is very keen to learn and improve."

Atsu joined Chelsea at the start of 2013-14 season but failed to make an appearance at the club. He was loaned to Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga before arriving at St James' Park.

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)