Joe Willock: Newcastle signed Arsenal midfielder with a six-year contract

Newcastle have signed Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock for a six-year deal.

The contract is over 20 million after last season’s successful loan period.

“I’m buzzing here. I loved my time here last season and I’m really happy to be back,” Willock said.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce said: “I am very happy to be able to reach our number one destination.

“We must have been patient and tenacious, but it has been worth the wait to bring Joe back.

“Where else can you find a 21-year-old who scored seven goals while shaking [on loan last season] and play like him? A fair game for everyone to make it happen. “

England’s 21-year-old Willock scored eight goals on loan in Newcastle in the second half of last season, including seven consecutive matches, to help steer the club out of the relegation area.

Bruce admitted that at some point he “didn’t believe the deal would happen” after Arsenal rejected another method of quoting.

But he said a permanent deal “was great for us” and would improve the team as they work to improve last season’s 12th place in the Premier League.

“The big thing for us is trying to improve on last year,” Bruce added.

“We had a good start and a good end, but a terrible winter time. We have to be lucky with the injuries and certainly with Joe on the team we looked like a threat – and to get those goals he gave us something different and he heals us.

“Little by little, we’re trying to improve.”

Find all the latest football transfers own page.