Marveaux is latest French arrival at Newcastle

Newcastle's Francophone recruitment drive moved up a gear Saturday as the club announced the signing of Rennes midfielder Sylvain Marveaux. The 25-year-old is set to arrive on July 1 on a Bosman free transfer move to St James' Park, having agreed a five-year deal after the Magpies swooped to nip in ahead of Liverpool. There have been reports of a questionmark against the left-sided midfielder's fitness after he spent more than half of last season on the sidelines with a groin injury. Newcastle have carried out tests on the player, who now joins fellow new face Yohan Cabaye as well as last season's signing Hatem Ben Arfa as the third Frenchman in the side, as the club hark back to the flair days of the likes of David Ginola and Laurent Robert. Coach Alan Pardew said: "It's a great coup to have signed Sylvain, who has received interest from a number of other clubs. "He may not be well known to many of our fans, but he is a real talent and a player we have been keeping an eye on for some time." Newcastle's other summer signing to date is Senegal striker Demba Ba from relegated West Ham.