Muto through red tape to finalise Newcastle United move
26-year-old Japanese winger Yoshinori Mutō officially became a Newcastle United player on Thursday after his work permit was granted by UK authorities.
Newcastle United have completed the signing of striker Yoshinori Mutō after he was awarded a work permit. The Magpies had to wait for the relevant documents to be ratified in order to complete the deal, despite Mutō having already agreed a four-year contract.
Muto on board with Magpies
The club confirmed on Wednesday that the process has been completed, meaning he becomes their fifth signing of the transfer window, following Martin Dubravka, Ki Sung-yueng and Fabian Schar and the loan deal for Kenedy. However, the 26-year-old will have to miss Saturday's friendly with Augsburg while he waits to be granted a visa.
"As the first Japanese Newcastle United player, I am honoured to be a player for such a big club," said Mutō, who joins from Mainz for a reported £9.5million fee. "I hope to achieve good results – that is what I am here to do. I would like to perform well and leave my name in Newcastle's history."
Newcastle boss Rafael Benítez added: "I am really pleased to have Yoshinori Mutō with us. We were following him for quite a while. "Hopefully, he can bring us his energy and work rate and help the team to improve and be better for the new season."
Benítez concerned
The news is a boost for Benítez, who admitted after Wednesday's 4-0 friendly loss to Braga that he is "really worried" about Newcastle's hopes for the season. "When things are not going well off the pitch you can see a reflection on the pitch," said the Spaniard, who admitted "everything" behind the scenes gave him cause for concern. The fans have to be concerned, we are concerned. I'm really worried."