Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has welcomed Yoann Gouffran to Newcastle United.

Yanga-Mbiwa, who conceded the club's current contingent of French players had helped him make the decision to move to the north-east, is excited by the prospect of linking up with Gouffran.

Yanga-Mbiwa said: "I played against him several times in the French League and is the sort of player who makes it very hard work for defenders.

"He runs deep to collect the ball and he gets forward and gives the chance to counter-attack. If he came to the club he would be very useful for us."