Georginio Wijnaldum: Why this Newcastle star will only get better after January deal

GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM believes Newcastle did their best piece of business in January by giving Ayoze Perez a new contract.

 

Perez and Wijnaldum are Newcastle's top two goal-scorers this season

 

The Magpies handed Perez a five-and-a-half-year contract which will keep him at Newcastle until 2021.

And Wijnaldum is delighted that his side have decided to tie the striker to a long-term deal.

"The club have faith in him and that will give him more confidence, a better feeling," Wijnaldum said.

 

"It's also good for the fans and for the team.

"Even when (the board) were busy with signing other players, they've also thought about the players that are already in the team, and I think he deserved the new contract."

Only Wijnaldum with nine has more Premier League goals for Newcastle than Perez (five) this season.

 

Since signing from Tenerife in 2014 the 22-year-old has in total 12 league goals in 56 appearances.

And while it is not a stellar return, both Wijnaldum and manager Steve McCLaren believe there is a lot more to come from the Spaniard.

"He has surprised me in terms of his ability," McClaren said.

 

"He can change a game, win a game and has scored some important goals for us this season. 

"He has been a big plus.

"There is a lot more to come from Ayoze and that will happen in a Newcastle United shirt."