LONDON: Newcastle have signed Spain Under-21 international Mikel Merino from Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan, the newly-promoted English Premier League club announced Friday.
The 21-year-old midfielder made nine appearances for German club Dortmund last season and is north-east side Newcastle's fifth signing since they returned to English football's top flight.
"Mikel is a midfielder with talent, an Under-21 international for Spain. He's a good size, has quality on the ball and he's very, very focused and professional," Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez told the club's website.
"Hopefully he's the kind of player we can improve a lot - he certainly has the mentality to get better and better," added the Spaniard, a former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager.