Rafa Benitez reveals when new signing Fabian Schar captured his attention

Rafa Benitez has revealed that defender Fabian Schar first caught his eye in 2013, having today secured a deal to bring him to Tyneside.
Fabian Schar impressed against Benitez's Chelsea in 2013Fabian Schar impressed against Benitez's Chelsea in 2013
Fabian Schar impressed against Benitez's Chelsea in 2013

Schar, a Swiss international, has penned an initial three-year deal on Tyneside after a fee was agreed with Spanish side Deportivo.

The deal sees Benitez land a player who first caught his eye in 2013, when the centre back featured for Basel against the Spaniard's Chelsea side.

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In the semi-finals of the Europa League - which Chelsea would go on to win - Schar starred at the back despite the Swiss side eventually being defeated.

MORE: Newcastle seal fourth summer signing - and a fifth is closeHe netted a penalty in the first leg and dealt effectively with the threats of Eden Hazard, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata, among others.

That defensive stability, coupled with his desire to keep the ball on the floor and play out from the back, made Benitez a big fan.

Those assets are also what prompted the Newcastle United boss to make a move this summer and now he is hoping that the 26-year-old can quickly adapt to the Premier League and add some extra depth and competition to his squad.

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READ: Who is Yoshinori Muto? The £9.5m striker set to sign for NewcastleIn a blog post on his official website, Benitez wrote: "I know about him since my time in Chelsea, when we won the UEFA Europa League in 2013, in a match against Basel.

"On those days, we noticed his ability to play with the ball from behind.

"Now he is part of NUFC and we wish he can adapt to the Premier League quickly.

"Schär has a lot of experience in Germany and Spain, so he will improve the competition in our defence for sure."