Aladji Bamba hopes Newcastle United move can take him out of his comfort zone

The 20-year-old penned a five-year deal on Tyneside on Friday morning as Newcastle confirmed his transfer from the principality club, which could be worth up to £34million, had been completed.

He becomes United's fourth senior signing of the summer, with all four of Bamba, Sean Steur, Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure aged 20 or under.

Despite only breaking into the first team at the Stade Louis II last season, Bamba had been at Monaco for five years and he believes he was getting too comfortable in his surroundings.

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And when describing what type of player he is to Newcastle United supporters, the France youth international made that point when revealing why he was relishing the challenge of playing for Eddie Howe's side.

"I think I'm a box-to-box player, good in both halves, who likes to retrieve the ball and who can set up his team-mates with some nice passes so that they can score. That's how I would define my style.

"I'm impatient to start. I was at Monaco for five years and I think I was getting a bit comfortable. Today I have the opportunity to leave this cocoon, if we can say that, so I am very excited and can't wait.

"[I want to] Reach new milestones, make maximum progress and help the club reach its rightful place. That's it."

Bamba met some of his team-mates for the first time on Thursday but it remains to be seen whether he will be available for selection for Saturday's pre-season trip to Gateshead.

Should he not make the short trip over the River Tyne, Bamba's first appearance could come in next Wednesday's trip to face Bristol City.

Newcastle then jet off to Spain for a training camp in La Manga before friendly games against Valencia, Everton, Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg will bring their pre-season preparations to a close.

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