Kieran Trippier: Defender did not join Newcastle United for money, says Eddie Howe

Kieran Trippier has joined Newcastle United for the "challenge" and not the "financial benefits", Eddie Howe says.

Trippier, 31, has arrived from Atletico Madrid for £12m plus add-ons - Newcastle's first signing since October's Saudi Arabian-backed takeover.

The England defender has agreed a deal until the end of the 2023-24 season.

"It's a sign that the club has a huge pull - and I'm not talking financial here," said head coach Howe.

"Kieran hasn't come for the financial benefits of the contract. He's come for the club and for the challenge that the team faces at the current time, but also the longer-term vision, so I think that's a massive thing for the football club."

Trippier said: "If people say it's about money, then everybody's entitled to their own opinion, but I know my reasons why and that's not one of them."

He could make his debut for Newcastle at home to Cambridge on Saturday in the FA Cup third round after all his paperwork was completed in time.

Howe, appointed Newcastle boss in November, also signed the England full-back in 2012 during his time at Burnley.

"Hopefully with his signing, other players around the world will potentially look at that and share his dream and his vision for what he sees," added Howe. "That's a big thing for us."

Howe said he is confident of more signings in the transfer window, adding: "But we're in the hands of clubs selling players, we're in the hands of agents and players wanting to come.

"There are no guarantees. It might sound simple from the outside; it's very, very different when you're on the inside, so I'm confident, but there are no promises."

Trippier, who won the Spanish title with Atletico last season, had 18 months left on his contract in Spain.

Newcastle are second bottom of the Premier League, having won one league game this season.

Former Burnley defender Tripper, a graduate of Manchester City's youth academy, says he moved to Newcastle because "I love a challenge" and his family wanted to return to the north of England.

"I'm feeing very positive, the players are feeling positive and you see the atmosphere around the place," said Trippier, who joined Atletico in 2019 after four years at Tottenham.

Howe said he had "long admired" Trippier, adding: "When the opportunity arose to secure him, we didn't hesitate.

"A lot of hard work has gone into planning for the January transfer window long before the month began, which is clear in how quickly we have been able to complete this move."

Trippier, who was part of the Spurs side that reached the Champions League final in 2019, made 83 appearances for Atletico following his £20m move.

He made his England debut in 2017 and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup - scoring in the semi-final defeat by Croatia - and the final of the European Championship last summer.

Trippier said: "I still want to get in the England team. I know I'm up against Reece James, Kyle Walker and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and I feel I can still handle the pressure and performances.

"I still feel like I'm in very good shape. I need to keep good performances for Newcastle."

Newcastle host Cambridge United in the FA Cup third round on Saturday and fellow strugglers Watford in the Premier League on 15 January.

Alistair Magowan, BBC Sport

Newcastle fans will be feeling a little bit happier with the world.

Not only does it represent good value for an England international who won La Liga last season, but underlines that the new Saudi Arabian-backed owners mean business in this transfer window.

In many ways they need to be, given the club's position in the Premier League table. Yet Trippier's switch has shown that, despite Newcastle's form, the allure of playing for Eddie Howe at a club with a new direction could encourage other players to join him on Tyneside.

This is good early business but there will be more activity before the end of January. Howe, head of recruitment Steve Nickson and consultant Nicky Hammond have been working hard in preparation for further moves. They want to strengthen in central defence and midfield, as well as find a striker after the recent calf injury to top scorer Callum Wilson.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.