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AFTER signing Jonas Gutierrez from La Liga, Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has been told there is no danger of the exciting winger becoming another high-profile foreign flop at St James' Park.

Gutierrez, known as Spiderman for his goal celebrations, is believed to have bought out the remaining two years of his contract at Real Mallorca to secure his surprise move yesterday, signing a five-year deal on Tyneside.

It will be up to the Argentina international to prove he will not fail like the last attacking recruit from the Spanish league, Albert Luque.

Luque made just six Premier League starts following a £9.5m move in August 2005 and he was sold to Ajax two years later for just £2m.

Prior to that, Newcastle wasted £5.8m on Mallorca centre- back Marcelino.

But Sky Sports' La Liga pundit Gerry Armstrong, a former Northern Ireland international who had a twoyear spell with Mallorca during his playing days, believes Newcastle have captured a gem.

"I know Newcastle have not had the best track record when it comes to signing players from Spain - Marcelino and Luque spring to mind - but Gutierrez is Argentinian and he has a different style of play," said Armstrong.

"He's certainly not another Luque. Argentinians generally have a good history in English football, going back to Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa at Tottenham, and I'm confident Gutierrez will be a success at Newcastle.

"I really do think he will adapt to English football because of the type of player he is. Newcastle have obviously done their homework.

"I don't think Kevin could have signed a better player for Newcastle from La Liga because he has all the attributes needed to be a success in the Premier League and I'm really interested to see how he does. He is tall for a winger, and he's quick and strong. He has wonderful energy levels and will work really hard for the team. He also knows how to defend and he's not scared to tuck in when he has to. He is a great team player because that is something all the Real Mallorca players had to be."

Gutierrez becomes the first Argentinian to play for Newcastle since the days of Christian Bassedas and Daniel Cordone - and neither of those had fantastic spells with the club.

But Newcastle feel this acquisition can set the ball rolling in the transfer market, after fending off interest from Portsmouth for the rightsided winger.

Executive director (football) Dennis Wise and vicepresident (recruitment) Tony Jimenez have been working behind the scenes on sealing the deal, leaving Redknapp furious.

"It is a major coup for Newcastle and Kevin Keegan will be thrilled to get him because a lot of clubs were after him from La Liga and the Premier League," said Armstrong.

"Harry Redknapp will be absolutely gutted Jonas has gone to Newcastle because he has spent the last seven or eight months trying to get him to sign for Portsmouth."

Gutierrez, who has Jonas on the back of his shirt, will not start pre-season training with his Newcastle teammates on Monday after playing for Argentina on June 18 against Brazil.

But, after gaining his preferred move to England, he is expected to figure for the first time for Newcastle in the friendlies at St James' with PSV and Valencia next month. He said: "The Premier League is a great place to play and I cannot wait to meet my team-mates and prove myself to the Newcastle United fans."

Keegan said: "Jonas is a wonderful signing for us. He's an exciting player and I'm sure our fans will enjoy watching him."

* Everton are expected to name Newcastle first-team coach Steve Round as their assistant manager today. Round will leave Newcastle after just one season after the clubs agreed a compensation deal.

9:12am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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