BBC pundit Sam Ricketts has hailed Newcastle United's signing of full-back Matt Targett from Aston Villa. Targett joined Newcastle on loan in January from Villa and played a pivotal part in helping the Magpies turn their season around.
Newcastle were languishing in the relegation zone prior to Targett's arrival but managed to produce a superb run of form following the turn of the year that saw them finish the season in 11th place. The 26-year-old played every single minute of his loan spell bar the 90 minutes against his parent club Villa, emphasising his dependability.
Alongside Dan Burn, Targett helped to shore up the left-flank of Newcastle's defence. So impressed were Newcastle with Targett during his loan spell, they opted to make his deal a permanent one.
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And speaking on the BBC's Football Daily podcast, former Welsh international Sam Ricketts reckons Targett is an astute signing for the Magpies.
"I think Matt is a solid Premier League player", said Ricketts.
"For all the changes which are going to happen at Newcastle, they’re going to be linked with some top, top players, you need your dependables, players who know the Premier League especially from a Premier League point of view.
"They’ve had a good look at him for the last five or six months and he obviously fits into the way Eddie Howe wants to play, they’ve had a fantastic second half of the year in terms of form and he’s played a big part in that. It’s another box ticked to get their squad ready for next season."
