Newcastle sign veteran striker Kuqi

Newcastle on Thursday announced the arrival of Shefki Kuqi, the experienced Finland striker who could make his debut against one of his former clubs Blackburn at the weekend.

The 34-year-old, a free agent after his contract with Championship side Swansea was terminated by mutual consent last month, has signed until the end of the season.

Kuqi has been drafted in to provide back-up to strikers Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands and Nile Ranger following the 35 million pound departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool, Xisco's loan move to Deportivo la Coruna and Shola Ameobi's fractured cheekbone.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said: "We needed another option up front because we are a little light there due to the temporary loss of Shola, and Shefki will provide us with something different.

"He's match-fit and knows the English game well having been in the country for the best part of 10 years. He is ready straight away and that's what we wanted.

"Shefki is a good, honest pro who will give us a strong physical presence from the bench."

Kuqi arrived in England in January 2001 when Stockport signed him from FC Jokerit for 300,000 pounds, and he has since played for Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich, Blackburn, Crystal Palace and Swansea, along with loan spells at Fulham and Derby either side of a spell in Germany with Koblenz.

He is approaching 500 career appearances and 150 goals, many of them marked with his trademark "bellyflop" celebration.

He told Sky Sports News: "I don't really have the words to describe how happy I am. To get this chance is a massive thing for me.

"I am just happy to be here now and I can't wait to start and hopefully try to do the best I can for Newcastle United.

"For me, it is a great opportunity just to be back in the Premier League again. It is something I have tasted before.

"Everybody knows it is the best league in the world and to be part of it and a club the size of Newcastle United, I am really proud. It's an honour to be here."

Kuqi, who will wear the number 42, is seen as a man who will support Pardew's three remaining senior strikers from the bench.

Best and Ranger were withdrawn from international duty this week as they nursed minor injuries in the wake of last Saturday's spectacular 4-4 draw with Arsenal.

They and Lovenkrands have been asked to shoulder the burden of scoring the goals to keep the Magpies in the top flight following Carroll's departure.

Ameobi, Best and Lovenkrands have claimed six goals between them in the ensuing six league games, with Newcastle losing just one of them.