Newcastle United have finally completed the transfer of Chancel Mbemba from Anderlecht.
The DR Congo defender has signed a five-year deal with the Magpies after receiving a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) for the player at an FA hearing on Thursday.
Doubts emerged over the age of 20-year-old Mbemba, who has been in Belgium with Anderlecht since 2012, but that has now been sorted and he will be free to officially join the Magpies once he obtains a UK work permit.
Mbemba has joined the Toon for a fee believed to be in the region of £8.5million and becomes Steve McClaren's third summer signing, following Dutch midfielder Gini Wijnaldum and reuniting with former Anderlecht teammate Aleksandar Mitrovic at St James' Park.
Mbemba told the club's official website: "This is the biggest league in the world and I'm very proud to wear the shirt for this team and play in this league.
"I'm going to do everything I can to help make the supporters happy, to help out my teammates and to bring something extra to the team.
"I know the team very well. I've watched the Premier League and I know this is a massive team with big players and with a great coach. I've come here to Newcastle United because it's a very good move in my career to play for such a famous club. I am excited for the season ahead."
#MagpieMbemba: The full story of Chancel Mbemba's transfer to Newcastle Unitedhttp://t.co/ZopMiiSw5E#NUFCpic.twitter.com/NXTwJifAyJ
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