Under the radar signing is a firm fans' favourite

NEWCASTLE'S front three may have stolen the headlines in last week's 4-0 win over Union SG in the Champions League but it wasn't their name the away end was chanting throughout the night in Brussels.

- By SEAN MCCORMICK Football writer

Malick Thiaw and, left, in action against Union St Gilloise

And despite the heroics of £69million forward Nick Woltemade against Nottingham Forest, there was another summer signing the Gallowgate End celebrated with a chant, too.

Malick Thiaw was perhaps the most understated signing Newcastle United made over the summer, but his performances in recent weeks have quickly seen him establish himself as a favourite on the terraces.

Newcastle fans chanted his name to the strains of the Italian folk song 'Bella Ciao' long into the night in Belgium and with good reason.

The 24-year-old has taken to life in the Premier League like a duck to water and the partnership he has struck up alongside Sven Botman at the centre of Newcastle's defence has been very impressive.