Joelinton: The lowdown on new Toon number 9...

Newcastle United have signed striker Joelinton from Hoffenheim for a club-record fee in the region of £40m - so we caught up with Brazilian football expert Jérciton Neto for the lowdown on the Toon's new number nine. 

Joelinton leaves the Bundesliga club after four seasons, two of which were spent on loan at Rapid Vienna. In total, Joelinton notched 11 goals in 36 games for Hoffenheim.

The 22-year-old moved to Europe in his teens after making his breakthrough in Brazil for Sport, and oGol writer Neto believes Newcastle fans - who have seen strikers Ayoze Perez and Joselu leave their club this summer - will quickly warm to their new signing.

We fired four questions his way on the first Brazilian striker to play for the Magpies since Mirandinha joined Newcastle back in 1987. 

What can Newcastle fans expect from Joelinton?

They can have high expectations, as Joelinton is a player who has developed a lot over recent years. He always had great talent, but this wasn't brought to the fore in Brazil: his sale to Hoffenheim was essential for him to improve. The German side loaned him to Rapid Vienna for two seasons to ensure he got adequate game time, and he showed his quality in Austria. On his return to Hoffenheim, he played 35 games scoring 11 goals. He is a real athlete, who is very dynamic and his style should suit English football. In a better league, the expectation should be that he will improve further. 

What are the strongest aspects of his game...and what areas does he need to work on?

His aerial prowess and ability to hold the ball up are his two main characteristics and both rely on his physical strength. He can play centrally and on the flanks, although he is probably best used through the middle. In terms of weaknesses, he potentially needs to work on his positioning, and concentration in critical moments. He is obviously young and therefore lacks experience in certain situations.

🗣 Newcastle United's club record signing, Joelinton, expressed his delight in joining the Magpies after the Brazilian forward's transfer from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim yesterday.

More here: https://t.co/yEHtzRFJEi #JoelinToon #NUFC pic.twitter.com/acTyk32UjQ

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) July 24, 2019

Older Newcastle fans will remember Mirandinha's arrival back in the 1980s, and other Brazilians such as Claudio Caçapa and Kenedy have pulled on the black and white jersey. Do you think Joelinton will have a greater impact at St James' Park than any of his Brazilian predecessors?

Yes, I think so - and the transfer suggests he should have - being that he is the most expensive signing in Newcastle's history. He has to make sure, however, that he handles the pressure, and expectation, and doesn't let it affect him on the field. 

Roberto Firmino was a Brazilian who moved from Hoffenheim to the Premier League - do you think Joelinton could enjoy similar success? Is he viewed as a prospect at international level?

There are obvious comparisons to be made between Firmino and Joelinton, but I believe there are clear differences between the two. Obviously, Firmino arrived at a club that had better conditions in terms of challenging for the title and his adaptation was helped by this. Joelinton, however, will play for a club that has endured some instability in recent seasons, despite the club's history and following, and is in the transition between Rafa Benitez leaving and Steve Bruce taking over. Joelinton's success, or lack of it, therefore needs to be measured differently to Firmino's.

In terms of Joelinton and the national team, I believe it is possible that he will receive a call-up in the future. There is currently something of a shortage of centre-forwards in Brazilian football and this could potentially help him. A lot will depend on how he performs for Newcastle; if he can shine in the Premier League, that will go along way to convincing Tite he is ready for international football. 

9⃣ Players to wear Newcastle's No. 9 shirt (Premier League):
⚫ Andy Cole
⚪ Les Ferdinand
⚫ Alan Shearer
⚪Obafemi Martins
⚫ Andy Carroll
⚪Papiss Cissé
⚫ Dwight Gayle
⚪Salomón Rondón
⚫ JOELINTON📝#NUFC @NUFC pic.twitter.com/GpfxS2H8a9

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) July 24, 2019