Steve Bruce's Newcastle United stole a march on their Premier League rivals today snapping up Bournemouth attacking partners in crime Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser for £20M and a free transfer to bolster The Magpies' front line with real Premier League experience of creating and scoring goals together.
."Callum is somebody I've admired for a long time and I'm delighted to get him.
"He has done fantastically well at Bournemouth and was deservedly playing centre forward for England less than two years ago.
"The club has worked ever so hard to get Callum here and we have beaten off competition from a number of clubs.
"I'm grateful the club has made it happen. Lee Charnley and those behind the scenes deserve a lot of credit."
The £20M signing of England striker Wilson, 28, who rejected overtures from Aston Villa to sign for The Magpies will grab the headlines but its the dual signing of him & Scotland winger Fraser, 24, that'll worry opposition defences this season with the pair carrying a tried and tested proven Premier League threat that had a hand in 46% of Bournemouth 196 top flight goals in the past 4 seasons with 58 goals & 38 assists:
Wilson has scored 41 goals in 126 Premier League games which elevated him into the England squad in 2018, where he scored against the USA on his debut in Wayne Rooney's final game for his country to cement a reputation after strikes against Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea & Arsenal and no less a figure than Alan Shearer, Newcastle's and The Premier League's All-Time Top goalscorer, is a big fan.
While jokingly imploring him not to score against Newcastle on Match of the Day, goalscoring legend Shearer has talked up Wilson's striking prowess and hailed the England forward's call-up as richly deserved for his goals & work-rate & Wilson revealed in his first interview for Newcastle that Shearer was influential in him signing:
If he follows in Shearer's footsteps, Wilson will certainly be the toast of the Town but he and Fraser signing together has Toon fans drooling at the prospect of their tandem play:
Speaking live on Sky Sports News to Keith Downie, Wilson said of Fraser:
"He was a great partner who I played with at Bournemouth and we had a great communication on the pitch, I think we ended up combining for 12-13 goals a couple of seasons ago and he'd be a great addition to any team not just Newcastle and I'm looking forward to playing with him..."
That 12 goal combination in the 2018/9 season is a Premier League record for a pair and former Bournemouth first-team assistant coach Hugo Faria told The Chronicle how special their partnership is and one that flourishes on and off the pitch:
"They have worked together for so long and they almost don't need to look on the pitch - they already know where they are or where they will move. They are connected on the pitch.
"When Ryan Fraser is on the wing, he knows where Callum Wilson moves and when Callum comes into pockets, he knows Ryan will eventually come closer and move into the space based on his position. They have a lovely connection.
"They are different characters but they have a very good partnership off the field as well. Callum is more of a leader with his experience and Ryan is a different character but a very good one as well. He's more introverted - he doesn't speak much - but hard work says everything. Off the pitch, they make a good couple as well."
Ryan Fraser completed his move to Newcastle today signing a 5-year contract and a clearly delighted player told the club's official website:
"I'm absolutely buzzing for it - 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 cant wait to show everyone what I can do, help the team and help us get back to where we belong."
Over the years, Newcastle have often prospered with a Scot or two in their side from Hughie Gallagher to Bob Moncur and 24 year-old Scotland winger Ryan Fraser joins Scotland international Matt Ritchie at St. James' Park after initial fears that the elder Scot would be leaving as part of the deal that brought Wilson to Newcastle.
A flying winger of the old school variety who attacks very directly with pace and panache, Fraser has scored 16 Premier League goals in the last 4 four seasons including strikes against Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester and Everton as well as scoring this superb goal at international level versus Albania in a Scotland shirt:
His relationship on the pitch with Callum Wilson is surely one to excite Magpies fans who will be delighted he chose Newcastle over Aston Villa..
Steve Bruce will be hoping the two ignite together to set Newcastle on fire alongside the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton and said he was delighted to beat off stiff competition to sign both:
"I'm delighted to bring Ryan to Newcastle United. 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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