Newcastle sign Antonio Barreca from Monaco | OneFootball

Newcastle have completed the signing of Italian left-back Antonio Barreca on loan from Monaco until the end of the season.

The Magpies will have the option to sign the 23-year-old on a permanent deal at the end of the season.

“I am very happy to be here. I have accepted this challenge with a great deal of enthusiasm and I can’t wait to start,” the former Italy under-21 international told the club’s official website.

“I know that Newcastle is a big and historic club. I know that the people here really love football and that the fans are really behind the team. I think that the Premier League is the best league, so for me this is further motivation to do well.”

Barreca came through the ranks at Torino before joining Monaco last summer.

Toon boss Rafael Benítez added: “The left-back/left-wing-back position is one we’ve been looking to strengthen for a while and he’s an Italy under-21 international who we know has quality, good delivery and is good going forward.

“He has the attributes, he has the quality and he has the characteristics that we look for. Now we must see how quickly he can adapt, but we will try to help him and if he can give us more competition in this area, and more quality in the final third with his deliveries, the only thing I can see is a positive.”