Profile: The deadline day move that turned into disaster for Newcastle new boy Seydou Doumbia

The 28-year­-old, who likes to wear the number 88 shirt, has played in Japan, Switzerland, Russia and Italy in a 12-year career, recently playing at CSKA Moscow, where he scored five goals in 13 games for the Russian side in a six-month loan.

Having started his career in his native Ivory Coast, he moved to Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol in 2006, scoring three goals in 24 games.

A move to fellow Japanese side Vortis followed before the striker made his first move to Europe, signing for Swiss outfit Young Boys.

In two seasons, Doumbia found the net 58 times in 79 games, including 30 league goals in his second season in all competitions, making him twice top scorer in the Swiss Championship.

His goalscoring saw CSKA Moscow pay just over £7million for his services in 2010, where he continued to find the back of the net regualrly, scoring 95 times in 150 games over a four-year period in all competitions.

However his career has since taken a tumble when following a deadline day move to Roma in January last year, signing on a four­-and-a-­half year deal for just over £10million, he has struggled to break his way into the Roma side, making just 13 appearances, seven off the bench.

He was branded a flop by the Italian media and sent back to CSKA for a six­month loan.

Things were tricky from day one and he blames manager Rudi Garcia for his underwhelming spell in Serie A.

“I can’t see myself going back,” he told Jeune Afrique in October.

“It went wrong for me. The fans started whistling me from the first game and it didn’t stop until I left.

“The coach made me play when I had just returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and I don’t think I was ready.”

Doumbia may be known to fans of both Manchester clubs, who the striker has scored against in the Champions League in recent time. He has scored five goals in four games in the Champions League against City, most recently in their 2­1 win at the Etihad last season, while he also scored against United in CSKA’s 1­1 draw last October.

Doumbia comes to Newcastle after that loan spell but despite having three years left on his contract with Roma, he has been told he is not part of new coach Luciano Spalletti’s plans.