Sissoko, Gouffran both join Newcastle

NEWCASTLE, England (AP)

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Midfielder Moussa Sissoko has joined Newcastle, becoming the fourth French player signed by the English Premier League club during the transfer window.

The 23-year-old Sissoko had six months left on his Toulouse contract and the French club sold him for an undisclosed fee, rather than risk losing him on a free transfer in the summer. Toulouse announced the transfer on its website Thursday, without giving details, but reports said Newcastle paid $3.3 million.

The central midfielder has made six international appearances for France and impressed as a substitute in the 1-1 draw at Spain in October.

In another move earlier in the day, forward Yoan Gouffran joined Newcastle on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

The 26-year-old Gouffran helped Bordeaux to win the French league four seasons ago, scoring the winning goal at Caen that sealed the title. He scored 40 goals in 183 games for Bordeaux playing either wide on the right or more recently as a center forward.

Center half Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and right back Mathieu Debuchy also recently joined Newcastle, which now has 10 French players in its squad.