Signing Confirmed: JOSE LUIS SANMARTIN MATO (Joselu)

Rafa has his man. After being liked for a number of weeks the signing of German born Spanish player Jose Luis Sanmartin Mato, or Joselu to you and I, was confirmed this afternoon.

The 27 year old signs on a 3 year contract from Premier League side Stoke and becomes Rafa’s sixth signing of the season and the fourth Spaniard in the squad.

It may well feel like last chance saloon for or Joselu too as his chequered playing history shows he’s never really managed to nail a starting position wherever he’s been, never mind be considered a top player.

For Rafa it seems this is a player he’s had his eye on for quite some time, certainly from his time at Celta Vigo and whilst at Real Madrid B from starting his professional career until 2012.

Unconvincing moves to Hoffenheim, Frankfurt, Hannover and Stoke followed as did a loan spell at Deportivo La Coruna last season. The lad must have something however as he’s attracted decent transfer fees wherever he’s been.

At 6’3” he’ll certainly give us something different up front although Rafa will be hoping that he can hit some kind of goal scoring form as his record in front of goal suggests he’s never been anything like prolific.

He made it as far as the U21s at International level, scoring once in his 4 appearances in that age group.

So whilst most Newcastle fans were hoping for Perez as our new front man, it would seem that once more we will have to put our faith in Rafa having forgotten more about football than the rest of us put together ever knew!