"Now is the time to strike" - from Flash Gordon

Newcastle United have signed speedy forward Antony Gordon for an initial £40M plus £5M potential add-ons from Everton, who sacked their manager Frank Lampard recently and - hampered by Financial Fair Play due to years of reckless overspending - were keen on a quick sale to give their new boss - Sean Dyche - the funds to fight relegation.

The 21 year-old England Under 21 international has 4 goals in 9 games for his country as well as 7 in 73 Premier Leagues for The Toffees and it is his lightning pace and ability to terrorise opponents that has made him a target for Spurs & Chelsea, whose signing of Mykhailo Mudryk last week makes The Magpies Gordon's preferred destination.

Gordon is now the second fastest footballer in The Premier League season after Mudryk clocked a time of 36.63 km per hour on his Chelsea debut at Anfield on Saturday but Gordon is only fractionally behind with a top speed so far of 36.61 km/h and signing for the sky-rocketing Magpies will put an extra spring and speed in his step.

Gordon's signing will give the Magpies extra impetus in their Champions League hunt as his pace leading the press without the ball and attacking defenders with it scoring and creating goals will give Newcastle an extra potent weapon in their growing arsenal.

In turn, the skyrocketing Geordie club will provide Gordon with the perfect platform to enhance his England ambitions with Football Director Dan Ashworth - the man who masterminded Gareth Southgate's early success as England manager by remodelling English football - still close to The Three Lions boss plus the presence of Kieran Trippier.

The player completed his medical at Newcastle's Benton Training ground this morning:

before completing contractual and media duties at St James' Park prior to the announcement which was met with delight by Newcastle fans, some of whom have already dubbed him Flash Gordon after the Sci-Fi hero:

Gordon's character has been questioned by fans on Tyneside but heart-warming work with Fans Supporting FoodBank on Merseyside, who were the inspiration for the NUFC Fans' FoodBank will surely endear 'The FoodBank Figo' as one Everton fan dubbed him on Twitter to Geordie hearts especially when he does it on the pitch: