Newcastle sign Monaco's Bamba on five-year deal

July 24 : Newcastle United have signed midfielder Aladji Bamba on a five-year deal from French side AS Monaco, the Premier League club said on Friday.• The club will pay an initial fee of £30 million ($39.95 million), plus add-ons, for the 20-year-old, according to British media reports.• A product of Monaco's academy, Bamba made his first-team debut for the Ligue 1 club last year and went on to make 25 appearances, including both legs of Monaco's Champions League knockout phase playoff against Paris St Germain.• “I’m excited to test myself in a new league, the biggest league in the world. I learned a lot last season and now I feel ready for this new opportunity. I will give my all for this club,” Bamba said in a statement.($1 = 0.7510 pounds)