Onyewu Joins Newcastle - Football (Soccer) News And Picks

Onyewu Joins Newcastle
By Tim Robertson
Posted:4:00 am PDT 2007-02-03

It's not often you get to say this, but Newcastle may have done one of the smartest bits of business in the January transfer window.

The acquisition - on loan with a view to buy in the summer - of American defender Oguchi Onyewu could make a huge difference to Newcastle and perhaps even help them challenge for a UEFA Cup place - something that was unthinkable just a few weeks ago.

Onyewu, 24, shone for the United States in a difficult World Cup, and his performances for Belgian club Standard Liege this season have had admirers queuing up for his signature. Fulham, Middlesbrough and Marseille were bidders, while giants Internazionale and Chelsea were also linked with a move.

He is ideal for Newcastle, whose injury list has hit the defence harder than any other area of the team.

An athletic and commanding defender, Onyewu will add another dimension to the Newcastle defence - doing the job that Titus Bramble has been so inconsistent in trying to do over the last few seasons.

Onyewu bypassed Major League Soccer by moving direct to French club Metz from college. Although he initially struggled, he found his feet on loan at La Louviere before joining Standard.

Having now made a name for himself in international football, Onyewu's challenge is to land a permanent deal with a top club - exactly what he plans to do in his opportunity at Newcastle.

"It feels great to be here, and I'm eager to step in and make an impact with the team," he said. "I am not here just for the short-term. I am definitely here for the long-term and to make something special happen.

"I know the club's great history and all about the great fans and, although they have not managed to win anything for a long time, I know they are eager to start winning titles and I want to be part of that."

Newcastle moved up to ninth place with Wednesday's 3-1 win over Aston Villa, but they must sort out their porous defence if they have ambitions to go even higher.

The Magpies have conceded 33 goals in 25 games this season, and only newly promoted Reading have let in more among top 10 clubs.

Onyewu's no-nonsense style should help enormously.

"I am a hard player, very hard. My work ethic is very high and I just want to contribute something positive to the team," the player added.

"There were other possibilities for me, but it didn't take long to decide to join Newcastle because I realised this was the best career move for me.

"I think the Premiership will be quicker and more physical, but that will not be a problem for me."

Onyewu is now hoping to make his debut in Saturday's trip to Fulham, where he will be among familiar company as fellow US internationals Brian McBride, Clint Dempsey and Carlos Bocanegra could line up against him.

Fulham's 11-match unbeaten run came to an abrupt end in a lethargic 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Tuesday, and another performance like that would give Newcastle every chance of upsetting odds that has them as slight outsiders going into the game.

Online Football (Soccer) Betting Sites