NEWCASTLE UNITED are understood to have completed a season-long loan deal for Shakhtar Donetsk striker Facundo Ferrerya.

The Magpies have agreed a loan fee with Shakhtar that enables them to take Ferrerya to St James' Park next season, with overseas sources suggesting there is also an agreement in place that would enable Newcastle to complete a permanent deal worth around £6m at the end of the loan if things go well.

Ferrerya moved to Shakthar last summer, but was one of a number of the club's overseas players to have expressed grave reservations about returning to Ukraine in light of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The 23-year-old effectively threatened to go on strike rather than return to Ukraine, and while Shakhtar's decision to temporarily relocate to Kiev has smoothed relations with some of their players, club officials have agreed to release Ferrerya.

West Ham United also expressed an interest in the forward, but Newcastle moved quickly to secure a temporary deal.

Ferrerya scored six goals in 13 league appearances for Shakhtar last season, and has previously played for Banfield and Velez Sarsfield in his homeland.

The deal should be confirmed soon, and Ferrerya will become the third striker to join Newcastle this summer, following Ayoze Perez and Emmanuele Riviere.

It remains to be seen whether his arrival will impact on the Magpies' ongoing pursuit of a number of other attacking targets that include Loic Remy and Alexandre Lacazette.