Coloccini joins Newcastle

(GETTY IMAGES)

Newcastle today announced the signing of Argentina defender Fabricio Coloccini from Deportivo La Coruna for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old has agreed a five-year deal at St James' Park following his move from the Spanish side where he played every minute of their campaign in La Liga last season.

Coloccini started his career at Boca Juniors in 1998 before moving to AC Milan the following season.

However, he made just one appearance for the San Siro side and spent the rest of his five years with the Italians on loan at San Lorenzo, Alaves, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal before moving on to Deportivo in 2004.

Coloccini was part of the Argentina Under-20 side that won the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship as well as the 2004 Olympic gold medal-winning team alongside Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez.

He also appeared in the 2006 World Cup and was part of the side that went down to two late Michael Owen goals in the 3-2 friendly defeat by England in November 2005.