Newcastle United's new signing Andros Townsend is hoping to emulate his boyhood hero David Ginola.

The 24-year-old was a £12million signing by Newcastle after leaving Tottenham Hotspur this week.

Ginola also played for both clubs during his Premier League career, but adapted an opposite route and moved to Tottenham from Newcastle and Townsend is hoping he can light up St James' Park as the flying Frenchman did when he arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in 1995.

Townsend said: "Growing up, Ginola was my favourite player to watch - so no pressure there!

"I have confidence in my own ability and hopefully I will go out and excite the crowd in the same way.

"I know that £12m is a lot of money but if I can reach my potential and play to the ability I have, then I am sure the same people who are talking about that now will be saying it is a bargain.

"If I put in a few good performances it will look like money well spent."