Newcastle sign a former BRICKLAYER who is friends with Allan Saint-Maximin

Steve Bruce says Newcastle have taken a ‘bit of a gamble’ after signing a 23-year-old former bricklayer who is a friend of star player Allan Saint-Maximin.

The Magpies boss insists Florent Indalecio has not been given a contract simply because of his relationship with the winger, who brought him over for a trial during the summer.

The French striker was kicked out by St Etienne at 15 because of poor behaviour and moved to Australia last year, where he worked on a building site while playing fourth-tier football. He has also beaten a cancerous tumour in his knee.

Newcastle have signed 23-year-old French striker Florent Indelacio after a successful trial

Indelacio, pictured with Adam Wilson, has been handed a deal until the end of the season

But after landing in Newcastle with Saint-Maximin and the club agreeing to a trial period, Indalecio was this week handed a deal until the end of the season.

Bruce said: ‘We’ve decided to take a bit of a gamble and see how he gets on this year.

‘He came over for a trial with Allan in the summer. He came into the academy and they’ve had him for the past six weeks. He’s got something. 

‘Whether that will ever be good enough to play for Newcastle, we’ll see how he develops. But we’ll give him a chance, he’s got a decent pedigree.’

Bruce, though, says Indalecio has earned his opportunity – his trial included one stunning overhead-kick goal that was captured on camera.

‘It certainly helps Allan, it’s his mate. But make no mistake, we haven’t just signed him because he’s Allan’s mate,’ added Bruce. ‘He’s got a bit of talent, otherwise he wouldn’t be coming in.’

Indelacio scored a stunning overhead kick goal that was captured on camera during his trial

Indelacio is close friends with Allan Saint-Maximin, who brought him over for a trial

Indalecio, who will stay with Newcastle’s Under-23s, told the Sydney Morning Herald: ‘I love football, I play with passion. If Newcastle want to sign me for free, I’ll play for free. It’s not a problem. They will not regret signing me, because I know I will help the team and I will try to give my best.’

And, of his time in Australia, he said: ‘I never spoke English before. I learned English on a construction site with my boss and all the bricklayers.

‘I just followed the guys, how they work, how they do the concrete mix, how they take the bricks. Everyone helped me. It was very physical. I was f*****. My body was tired.

‘When I was working in Australia, when I was in France, and I see all of my friends playing professionally and I was working in a factory, but today I am a Newcastle player and I’m very proud.

‘It’s a really big club and a great opportunity for me but I’m starting from the bottom. My objective is to play very well with Newcastle Under-23s to prove I have the ability to play at a better level.’

Steve Bruce admits he has taken ‘a bit of a gamble’ on the former bricklayer