Newcastle signs Cisse from Freiburg

Published Jan. 17, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Newcastle have signed Senegalese striker Papiss Demba Cisse from Freiburg on a five-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old striker was spotted arriving at the Magpies' training ground on Tuesday to put the finishing touches to a switch from German outfit Freiburg.

Alan Pardew was expected to dip into the transfer market during the winter window, but a central defender was thought to be top of his wish list.

He has, however, opted to bolster his strike force with the capture of Cisse.

The Magpies have benefited greatly from their summer acquisition of Demba Ba and feel that pairing him with his international colleague can further enhance their top-four credentials.

They will, of course, have to wait to see that partnership in action, with both men readying themselves for African Cup of Nations duty.

Upon completing talks with Newcastle, Cisse was whisked away and jetted back to Africa to re-join the Senegal squad.

Pardew is happy to wait, though, as he has acquired the services of a man who has become one of the Bundesliga's top marksmen in recent years.

He netted 22 times last season and has already scored nine goals this term.