Matías Fernández-Pardo has officially become a Newcastle United player, leaving Lille OSC to continue his career in the Premier League. The 21-year-old Belgian international joins Sean Steur as a new team-mate at St. James' Park. VoetbalPrimeur reports that Pardo will wear the number 20 shirt.
Pardo's career path has taken him through various youth academies, including Anderlecht, KV Mechelen and Lille, before he eventually joined KAA Gent. He then progressed through Jong Gent to the first team, where he made a name for himself in Belgian football with 10 goals and 2 assists in 28 appearances. His performances earned him a return to Lille for €11.5 million, where he gained further experience in the Ligue 1.
In France, Pardo has made 71 appearances for Lille, scoring 12 goals and providing 11 assists. His next step in his career is a transfer to Newcastle United, who have started the new Premier League season strongly with 4 points from their first two matches, including a draw at home to Liverpool and a win away at Tottenham Hotspur.