<p style="text-align: justify">PSV Eindhoven midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has joined Newcastle on a five-year deal for a fee reportedly worth around 20 million euros (A?14.4million), the club announced Saturday.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The 24-year-old Holland international becomes Newcastle's third most expensive signing of all time after Michael Owen and Alan Shearer.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Wijnaldum, who joins compatriots Tim Krul, Daryl Janmaat, Vurnon Anita and Siem de Jong at St James' Park, said: "There are a few players here who are from Holland - I know them well and they will help me feel at home in Newcastle.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"I know the club has a great stadium with great fans. I want to play here as soon as possible - I want to feel the atmosphere and hear the crowd. I cannot wait to get started."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Wijnaldum's arrival is a major boost to head coach Steve McClaren, who insisted on Thursday that he was not frustrated by the apparent lack of action in the transfer market.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">McClaren said: "This signing is a real statement for the club. It is a big transfer for a very good player and I am delighted to have Gini here at the club.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"He has lots of energy and a great tempo to his game. He is very skilful, but is also capable of playing box-to-box, and - importantly - he can score goals.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"He is at the right age and the right fit for Newcastle. He is a leader as well and you will see that. He is someone who always wants the ball, can deal with it, and we need that kind of character in the team."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Wijnaldum, a Rotterdam-born player who came through the ranks at Feyenoord, made 130 appearances for PSV and scored 47 goals during his four seasons at the Philips Stadion.</p> . <p style="text-align: justify">Forty of those appearances and 16 of the goals came as captain last season as the club cruised to the Eredivisie title, finishing 17 points ahead of closest rivals Ajax.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">He has 19 senior caps and represented his country at the World Cup finals in Brazil last year.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">McClaren will hope Wijnaldum is the first of a series of signings as Newcastle attempt to significantly strengthen a squad which struggled to retain its Premier League status last season.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Anderlecht striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is a serious target with efforts to land QPR's Charlie Austin having so far come to nothing, while Wolfsburg frontman Bas Dost has also been in their sights for some time.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">McClaren and his players, who opened their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win at Gateshead on Friday, are due to fly out to the United States on Sunday ahead of fixtures against Club Atlas, Sacramento Republic and the Portland Timbers.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p>