Newcastle manager Alan Pardew on Thursday signed Holland midfielder Vurnon Anita from Dutch champions Ajax. Anita agreed a five-year contract with the English Premier League club after helping the Dutch giants win their second successive league title last season. The 23-year-old, born on the island of Curacao, joined the Ajax youth academy in 1999 and made his first-team debut in 2006. Anita, who has three caps for the Netherlands, can also play as a full-back and Pardew is reported to have paid around $10.2 million for his services. “We are delighted to secure the services of Vurnon,” Pardew told Newcastle’s website. “He is an exceptionally talented footballer with great technical ability.” From:Gulftoday