Newcastle United have completed the signing of highly-rated Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille for an initial £51.4m.
The 21-year-old arrived on Tyneside on Monday night before completing his medical and signing a long-term contract with the Premier League club.
Fernandez-Pardo said he was "very proud" to join Newcastle after holding talks with head coach Matthias Jaissle, who played a significant role in convincing him to make the move.
"He really showed how much he wanted me to be here," Fernandez-Pardo said.
The Belgium international believes Newcastle represents the ideal destination for the next stage of his development, having already followed the club and experienced its reputation for passionate support.
"I'm still young, I'm still hungry, and that's why I'm here," he said. "I want to make that progress with Newcastle. I can't wait to start the wonderful adventure here."
Fernandez-Pardo's future at Lille had become increasingly uncertain in the build-up to the transfer.
He was omitted from the squad for last week's 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain and instructed to train away from the first team while his future was being resolved.
The forward has been on Newcastle's radar for some time, with the club's interest dating back to former head coach Eddie Howe's tenure. At 21, he also fits the profile of young players Newcastle have been targeting as they build for the future.
His performances in France underline why Newcastle were prepared to make such a significant investment.
Among players aged 21 or younger across Europe's big five leagues last season, Fernandez-Pardo ranked second for big chances with 21, while he was fifth for touches in the opposition penalty area with 184 and shots on target with 30.
He also ranked seventh for combined goals and assists with 13.
Fernandez-Pardo's versatility was another major attraction for Newcastle, with the Belgium international capable of operating in several positions across the frontline.
Jaissle believes his combination of technical quality, pace and attacking threat will make him an exciting addition to the Newcastle squad.
"Matias is a highly technical player with explosiveness in his game," Jaissle said. "He can score and assist, he has courage, and he has the ability to take players on."
The Newcastle boss also backed Fernandez-Pardo to continue developing after demonstrating his potential at Lille.
"We're sure our supporters will enjoy watching him play," Jaissle added. "He has already shown in Lille that he can perform on the big stage, and we will work closely with him to keep developing his game further.
"We are excited to see him in a Newcastle United shirt."
Fernandez-Pardo now begins the next chapter of his career on Tyneside as Newcastle add one of European football's most promising young attackers to Jaissle's squad.
