A busy Monday of signings for Newcastle United included the acquisition of winger Ryan Fraser. The 26-year-old Scottish international joins the Premier League club on a five-year deal. Fraser was the second former Bournemouth player to join Newcastle on Monday as striker Callum Wilson also signed.
Newcastle United Sign Winger Ryan Fraser
✍️ #NUFC are thrilled to announce the signing of Ryan Fraser on a five-year deal!
Welcome, Ryan! 🏴👊
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 7, 2020
An Experienced Signing
Having spent the last few seasons in the Premier League, Fraser has plenty of experience in the top flight. Newcastle will hope he can replicate his 2018/19 form when he produced the second-highest assist tally in the league. Fraser had 14 assists during that campaign for Bournemouth, only beaten by then-Chelsea winger Eden Hazard.
The 2019/20 season did not yield the same results as the previous season. Fraser finished with just one goal and four assists in 28 Premier League appearances. It was his lowest combined goal and assist record of his Premier League career.
There is reason to believe he can replicate his top-level form from the 2018/19 campaign. Fraser is 26 and still has plenty of years ahead of him in his career. He can be a very effective player for Newcastle and help get them higher up the table. As a result, the five-year deal makes sense as he can be an effective player for them in the long-term.
Goal Creation
Newcastle will be looking for their new signings to help contribute to creating goals in the upcoming campaign. Last season Newcastle scored just 38 goals which ranked them 17th in the Premier League for goals scored. Wilson and Fraser will be joining a side who have struggled to find the back of the net and they will be called upon to help change that.
The former Bournemouth players have the opportunity to be impactful for Newcastle from the start. They have already proven to be very decent players in previous Premier League seasons and can play at a high-level.
Despite a dip in production for Fraser last season in assists, his four assists in the Premier League would have been tied for the top spot in Newcastle’s squad. It could very much be that Fraser becomes Newcastle’s leading provider this season.
Buzzing for It
“I’m absolutely buzzing for it,” Fraser told the Newcastle United website. “I came down to see the place the other day and it was all just good things; the manager, the place, the fans, the messages I’ve been getting.
“It was just a no-brainer, really, to play in such a big stadium with such passionate fans, and being back up in the north again is big as well.
“So I’m really looking forward to it and I just can’t wait to show everyone what I can do, help the team and help us get back to where we belong.”
Bruce Excited by Additions
“I’m delighted to bring Ryan to Newcastle United,” Steve Bruce said. “We have held off big competition to get his signature and that says a lot about what this club has to offer.
“His ability and his contributions on the pitch speak for themselves and I’m looking forward to seeing him getting to work in a Newcastle shirt.
“He has wonderful chemistry on the pitch with Callum Wilson, which excites me, and I hope it excites our supporters ahead of the new season.”
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