NEWCASTLE United have trimmed their wage bill with the exit of fringe defender Javier Manquillo.

The 29-year-old has reunited with Rafa Benitez - the manager who signed him for Newcastle in 2017 - at Celta Vigo, signing a permanent deal with the La Liga side.

Manquillo made 110 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies after joining from Atletico Madrid.

A club statement said: "Newcastle United would like to thank Javier for his service and everybody at the club wishes him well for the future."

Celta boss Benitez - whose side are 16th in La Liga - said: "What we are looking for is to improve the competitiveness of the squad in all the positions we can whenever we can.

"[Manquillo] is a market opportunity, a player who has experience, who can help us in this stretch and, if everything goes well, in many more games."