Newcastle announce Nick Pope signing with hilarious white smoke above St James’ Park tweet
NEWCASTLE UNITED announced the arrival of Nick Pope with a hilarious Twitter post.
The England keeper, 30, arrives at St James’ Park in a deal worth around £10million and has signed a four-year deal.
And the Magpies Christened his move with a brilliant post showing white smoke above St James’ Park.
At the Vatican City, white smoke emerging above the Sistine Chapel signifies a new Pope has been elected to the position.
Pope was named in the Premier League Team of the Year in 2020, but couldn’t help the Clarets avoid relegation last season.
He has won eight England caps and has cemented himself as the Three Lions’ No 2.
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He said: “Now I’m here, I can’t wait to get started.
“The deal has taken a couple of weeks to come to fruition but it got over the line really quickly, and I’m delighted to be here and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into it.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe added: “Nick is an exceptional Premier League and international level goalkeeper so I’m very pleased to be adding strong competition to a very important position.
“There has been a lot of interest in him from other clubs this summer, so I’d like to thank our owners and everyone behind the scenes for getting us ahead of the competition.
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“I’m delighted he is joining us as we prepare for the exciting challenge ahead.”
Pope credited England buddy Kieran Trippier for selling Newcastle to him while they were on England duty.
The keeper spent two weeks on England duty after the Clarets’ relegation, where he quizzed Newcastle right-back on his new club.
Pope said: “I was asking him a few questions and he was telling me everything about the lads in the dressing room, the atmosphere home and away, and what the manager has brought to the club.
“He really sold it to me and spoke incredibly highly of what is going on.”
Pope had one year left on his Turf Moor contract but is desperate to stay in the Prem to secure a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
Howe made his move last week and Pope will battle Martin Dubravka for the No1 jersey.
Pope will follow left-back Matt Targett to Tyneside – and hopes are rising that defender Sven Botman will soon follow.