Newcastle have gone South American crazy by signing teenager Facundo Bonvin on loan from crack Argentinian club Boca Juniors.

The 19-year-old, who is already on Tyneside undergoing his medical, will remain with United for the rest of the season.

His signing follows the #1million swoop for Chile's international midfielder Clarence Acuna yesterday.

The Bonvin deal has been brokered by former United star David McCreery, who for the past two years has brought over the brightest young talent of Boca Juniors to play a series of matches in the North East.

Bonvin scored against United while on tour, which alerted manager Bobby Robson and his staff.

"Facundo plays on the left wing but can also operate in a more central midfield position and even up front," McCreery told me.

"After scoring against United, he stayed on for two weeks and has now returned to join the club for the rest of the season.

"A year ago after I brought Boca across, Middlesbrough signed Carlos Marinelli, who has done tremendously well for them.

"Obviously Bonvin is one for the future as well."

While Acuna will join United's first-team squad immediately his work permit is received, Bonvin will be groomed by Robson and his coaches with a view to signing him permanently.

United now have no fewer than six South Americans currently on their books - Nobby Solano, Daniel Cordone, Christian Bassedas, Diego Gavilan, Clarence Acuna and Bonvin.

A second Boca Juniors player who stayed over at Newcastle with Bonvin after the club tour, centre-forward Esteban Herrera, is now being trawled by a Spanish club and one from our own Premier League.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

Answers

I wonder if these are the guys who were being called 'Jose' and 'Pedro' earlier in the season. Any photos available?

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

According to Planet football, this lad turned down a move to the smoggies because they wouldn't offer him a permanent contract. Ah the lure of Bobby!

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

Bonvin scored against United while on tour, which alerted manager Bobby Robson and his staff.

Well, on that basis, we could expect half the Birmingham City, Orient and Tranmere strikers to sign for us soon.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

So much for reducing the size of our squad. I know most of the latest signings are for the future but they are still being paid.

It's about time we started to release a few more now isn't it. The likes of Brady must be so far down the pecking order that he isn't invited to train!

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

Sadly, DB, this is a legacy of Kenneth the Great (not!) and to a lesser extent, TDO. Of course we don't know if YBR's signings will prove to be any more successful than those of his predecessors - they could hardly be any worse.

Unfortunately, despite the fire sale, we are still left with damaged goods. I'm afraid we may have to continue paying the storage costs until these "assets" are written off.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

Given the state of the transfer system, is it worth a calculated risk in 'freeing' a couple of players, with the possibility that we will get nothing for them anyway or next to nothing in compensation (They are not products of our youth system i.e. Hamilton, Brady, Serrant)

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

I think Bobby would love to 'free' them, but they're still under contract.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

Sorry DB...I'm a little bit in 'retard' mode at the moment. I tend to agree with you - unlike YBR who obviously has put a price on their heads.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

I don't think Bobby wants us to be seen as a club that gives our players away - look how he managed to get cash for Maric when most of us would have paid a club to take him away!

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

Are we nearing the magical 40 number for the number of players who you would 'associate' with being in the first team squad. Surely out of good business sense the board will have to, at one point, say to YBR that players must leave the club before anymore come in.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

NUFC.com report that Mark McGee has returned to enquire about the availability of Jamie McClen on loan. I'm sure a 3 month spell would help his game.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000