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Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins left Italian Inter Milan for English Newcastle United on Thursday for a fee of 15 million euros (19.24 million US dollars).
"He has always been my number one target but I didn't say that earlier because it alerts other clubs," Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder said at the Premier League team's official Web site.
Martins signed a five-year contract after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.
Newcastle have been desperate for a top striker after Alan Shearer retired and England forward Michael Owen is not expected back until 2007 after his World Cup knee injury.
The 21-year-old Martins, who joined Inter in 2002 and extended his contract last December until 2010, was sold following the close-season acquisitions of Argentina striker Hernan Crespo from Chelsea and Sweden frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Juventus.
Martins comes from Lagos and made his way as a teenager to Reggiana in Italy.
Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins left Italian Inter Milan for English Newcastle United on Thursday for a fee of 15 million euros (19.24 million US dollars).
"He has always been my number one target but I didn't say that earlier because it alerts other clubs," Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder said at the Premier League team's official Web site.
Martins signed a five-year contract after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.
Newcastle have been desperate for a top striker after Alan Shearer retired and England forward Michael Owen is not expected back until 2007 after his World Cup knee injury.
The 21-year-old Martins, who joined Inter in 2002 and extended his contract last December until 2010, was sold following the close-season acquisitions of Argentina striker Hernan Crespo from Chelsea and Sweden frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Juventus.
Martins comes from Lagos and made his way as a teenager to Reggiana in Italy.