Scottish Mag 3 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 A thrilled Oguchi Onyewu last night revealed his determination to win a permanent contract with Newcastle after insisting he has long-term ambitions at St James's Park. And as Glenn Roeder challenged the 24-year-old to prove he is worth a place in his squad next season, the United boss believes the incentives on offer make it a `win-win' situation for the Tyneside club. Onyewu is expected to be at this evening's Premiership game against Aston Villa and, although the United States international will play no part against Martin O'Neill's men, his new manager believes his signing will give the Magpies a significant boost. The imposing defender yesterday joined Newcastle on loan from Standard Liege for the remainder of the season as Roeder finally made a breakthrough in the transfer market. And having been told that his future is in his own hands, Onyewu is relishing the chance to get to work in a black-and-white shirt. "I'm not just here for the short-term - I'm here for the long-term," said a player who knows what he has to do to make his Premiership dreams come true. "It feels great to be here and I'm eager to step in and make an impact with the team. "There were other possibilities for me but it didn't take long to decide (to join Newcastle) because I realised this was the best career move for me. I know the club's great history and all about the great fans and, although they have not managed to win anything for a long time, I know they are eager to start winning titles and I want to be part of something special here." The only silverware still available to United this season is the Uefa Cup and, having appeared for his Belgian club in the competition's preliminary stages, Onyewu is ineligible for European action. Instead, the Clemson college star is targeting potential prizes further down the line - but first he must prove his class to Roeder. "He has got 13 games to prove he's a Premiership player," said the United boss, who intends to include the American in his squad at Fulham this weekend. "He has to prove that he's a player worth keeping and that's why this is such a good deal for us. "He has hunger and he has something to prove and this is a win-win for us. Standard were looking for a permanent deal straight away and it required a lot of hard work (to secure a loan signing). It has been hard work for a few days because he is Standard Liege's best player." Onyewu's contract at Stade de Sclessin was due to expire this summer and Standard officials agreed to loan him out only after taking up an option that has extended his deal in Liege for a further 12 months. It is a move that means a transfer fee will have to be paid should Newcastle decide to make the arrangement a permanent one. A fee has not yet been agreed, although the parameters have been discussed. Roeder believes he cannot lose. Onyewu is untested outside the Belgium's Jupiler League but, should he fail to live up to expectations in England, the signing will only have cost United an undisclosed loan fee described last night as `nominal'. "A lot of people think he is by no means the finished article and that because he has never played in the Premiership it was a gamble," said a manager confident he has reduced the risks. "But in terms of his size, strength, pace, his ability in the air and because we are desperate for central defenders who win a lot more balls than they lose, it isn't a gamble. "He's good in the air and that has been a weakness for us this season. I first became aware of him before the World Cup and I became more aware of him during the tournament. "He played in all of America's games and I thought he did well. He has impressed a lot of people around Europe but he wanted to find a Premiership club he felt he wanted to play for and now he has done that. I'm looking forward to working with him." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM4 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Well it's good to hear that our club has apparently made all the right moves already should he prove to be a hit and should we want him on a permanent basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufc4ever 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Has to make a swift impact with only 13 games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13915 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Howay man its the gooch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 35639 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Bit of a worry that no fee has been agreed or anything though. If he comes and plays a blinder, they could take the piss and someone else could nick him off us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM4 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Bit of a worry that no fee has been agreed or anything though. Ah so a fee hasnt been agreed? oh well back to normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 35639 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Bit of a worry that no fee has been agreed or anything though. Ah so a fee hasnt been agreed? oh well back to normal. Nah: It is a move that means a transfer fee will have to be paid should Newcastle decide to make the arrangement a permanent one. A fee has not yet been agreed, although the parameters have been discussed. Parameters will mean fuck all come the summer if they decide to take the piss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Bridge 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 He's out of contract in June, isn't he? Should get him for peanuts, really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 35639 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 He's out of contract in June, isn't he? Should get him for peanuts, really. Nope. Read the article man. He was but they've exercised an option to extend it by 12 months so he has a year remaining on his contract come June which means they have scope to take the piss or take him back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Bridge 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 He's out of contract in June, isn't he? Should get him for peanuts, really. Nope. Read the article man. He was but they've exercised an option to extend it by 12 months so he has a year remaining on his contract come June which means they have scope to take the piss or take him back. Ah right, I was just skim reading, as the Journal/Chronicle has the crazy attributes of copying word for word what appears on the club website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 1 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Stop worrying, he'll probably turn out to be shit anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman02uk 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Stop worrying, he'll probably turn out to be shit anyway. ahhh theres a life long toon fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wez 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 y isnt he playin 2nite?we could do with him. hold off carew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wez 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 y isnt he playin 2nite?we could do with him. hold off carew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 1 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Getting his work permit sorted I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenorthumbrian 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 They say he's physically strong - but so is Bramble. Still I wish thelad well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Stop worrying, he'll probably turn out to be shit anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 35639 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Would make no sense hoying him in tonight tbh. Barely any time to meet or train with his team mates, a mistake or two later, and everyone's assuming he's shit, his confidence suffers, and we knacker him. Best to at least give him a few days before this happens. Mightn't be a bad thing if his first game is away from SJP too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinofbeans 89 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 (edited) looks likely that he won't start for a while. if he comes good we can get that plodder bramble out of the team. bit concerned about the extra 12 months on his contract with the belgians ... if he does turn out to be good i can see us getting screwed for cash we don't really have. Edited January 31, 2007 by canofbeans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sima 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 y isnt he playin 2nite?we could do with him. hold off carew Pardon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13915 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Liverpools midfield so awesome if Mascherano joins. y isnt he playin 2nite?we could do with him. hold off carew Pardon? What have i started? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wez 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 lol, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sima 0 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 OMGLOLROFFLEROFFLEPOTATOWAFFLE!!!11111 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Patrokles Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 "A lot of people think he is by no means the finished article and that because he has never played in the Premiership it was a gamble," said a manager confident he has reduced the risks. "But in terms of his size, strength, pace, his ability in the air and because we are desperate for central defenders who win a lot more balls than they lose, it isn't a gamble. YES PLEASE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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