Newcastle United have tonight announced the signing of German goalkeeper Loris Karius on a short-term contract until the end of the season after Nick Pope's backup Karl Darlow tore his ankle ligaments and the club were forced to let Martin Dubravka go on loan to Manchester United after he was supplanted as no. 1 by England's Pope.

The 29 year-old German is capped all the way up to Under21 level for Die Mannschaft, has played 39 times in The Premier League for Liverpool and over 200 games for other clubs including Mainz in the Bundesliga and was a free agent until Newcastle acted:

Karius is 6ft 2in tall and is "excited" about joining a fantastic "project" like that being developed at St James' Park under the new owners and manager Eddie Howe:

He will provide healthy competition and backup for Nick Pope and, like Karl Darlow played against Tranmere Rovers in The Carabao Cup, may be the club's first-choice goalkeeper in Cup competitions with The Magpies facing Crystal Palace in the League Cup in November and whoever the club in the draw for The FA Cup in January.

Welcome to Newcastle, Loris! HoweAy The Lads.