Newcastle United have completed the €60million plus add-ons signing of Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille.The 21-year-old Belgium international joins on a five-year contract to become Newcastle’s eighth new arrival of a busy summer.The forward will wear the No 20 shirt and could make his debut for Matthias Jaissle’s side in Saturday’s home game with Bournemouth.“I’m really, really happy to be here and very proud to be at such a big club,” Fernandez-Pardo said. “I spoke to the head coach and he really showed how much he wanted me to be here. In terms of my own career progression, it made complete sense to come so I didn’t hesitate at all.“I know the club, I know about the stadium, I know it’s a fantastic atmosphere. I’ve followed the team. What I’ve seen is a team that’s very ambitious, wants to attack, get forward, really chase teams and go after them, and that’s really something I want to take part in as well.“I’m still young, I’m still hungry, and that’s why I’m here, and I want to make that progress with Newcastle. I can’t wait to start the wonderful adventure here.”Midfield has been an area of focus for Newcastle, with Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali departing and Nico Gonzalez, Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur arriving as replacements.Goalkeepers Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen have also been added, with full-back Amar Dedic and winger Bazoumana Toure joining Jaissle’s squad too.Fernandez-Pardo was a key player for Lille last season, starting 27 of the club’s 34 Ligue 1 games and scoring eight goals as they finished third to qualify for the Champions League.Fernandez-Pardo’s arrival coincides with striker Nick Woltemade closing in on a loan exit to Juventus.‘A long-term target’Fernandez-Pardo has been a long-term target and was a player Newcastle feared was unattainable for most of the summer.Yet they have closed a deal for a forward they believe will add even further pace and attacking threat to their frontline. He can play on the left or as a No 9 and is tall, powerful and direct in his style.Jaissle really likes Fernandez-Pardo, but so too did Eddie Howe and he has been watched closely by Newcastle throughout his time at Lille. This is a player they have long coveted as a club.After a difficult summer, optics-wise, for much of it, with big players leaving and Howe departing, the past two weeks have been very positive for Newcastle, on and off the field.Bringing in Fernandez-Pardo would really top that off. He would be a signing who undoubtedly improves their first XI and squad.