Newcastle are to sign American defender Oguchi Onyewu on loan until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old Standard Liege player has been looking to seal a move to the Premiership since last summer, and he came close to joining Middlesbough last year.
Onyewu is now in England undergoing a medical after Standard agreed to let him leave on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent deal.
Onyewu could be one of two loan signings at St James’ Park, with St Etienne’s Frederic Piquionne also said to be close to sealing a move.
“We want to take Onyewu and Piquionne on loan,” said Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder.