ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC has described himself as a “real number nine”, and pledged to follow in Alan Shearer’s footsteps in the wake of his £12m move to Newcastle United.

Mitrovic became the fourth most expensive player in Magpies history when he signed a five-year deal to complete his switch from Belgian side Anderlecht yesterday, with his arrival bringing an end to a lengthy pursuit that began at the start of the summer.

The 20-year-old Serbia international emerged as one of the most highly-rated young strikers in Europe as he scored 27 goals last season, and his aggressive, physical style should endear him to a St James’ Park fan base that has been crying out for a successor to Shearer, who retired in 2006.

Andy Carroll briefly took over Shearer’s mantle, only to be sold to Liverpool after half-a-season in the top-flight, and while Mitrovic still has plenty to prove given that he only made his senior debut for Partizan Belgrade less than three years ago, he is confident he has what it takes to succeed in a Newcastle shirt.

“I’m aggressive, strong, and I’m a goalscorer,” said Mitrovic, who is expected to make his first appearance for the Magpies in Sunday’s friendly at Sheffield United. “I’m a real number nine, the penalty box is my place.

“My position is through the middle. I’m like a striker who has played here before – from Alan Shearer to Papiss (Cisse). They are big names, and I hope I can make a similar impact.

“Alan Shearer is a real legend, and one of my heroes. That and (Didier) Drogba is how I like to play, and it’s an honour to play at this club.

“I’m a physical sort of player – I like to fight and score goals. I like crosses into the box, I feel comfortable with that, and I like to be in the box.”

Newcastle beat off competition from a number of quarters to land Mitrovic, with Roma and Porto both having made offers to Anderlecht officials earlier this summer.

The Magpies were always confident their financial package would enable them to complete a deal, and despite suggestions he had been holding out for Champions League football, Mitrovic insists he always had his heart set on a move to Tyneside.

The striker first became aware of Newcastle’s interest in the second half of last season, and while it has taken a while to work through the technicalities of the transfer, all parties are delighted with yesterday’s successful resolution.

“It has been a few long days for me,” said Mitrovic. “Every day I have been waiting to see what will happen between the clubs. They had some problems, some small details, but they are finished and I’m now here, happy, proud and excited.

“I have known that Newcastle have been interested in me for a long time. Last season they also asked for me.

“This season they showed me that they really wanted me, so this is the reason I came here. Also, I’m a long time fan of Newcastle and I followed Newcastle. I’m very proud to be here and I’m happy.

“There were some other clubs, but for me Newcastle is the best club to make progress, to play here in front of amazing fans. I was in the stadium and it was really amazing. It’s a really nice atmosphere from what I’ve seen on the television – I can’t wait for my first game, to play.”

With question marks over Cisse’s future, and Emmanuel Riviere nursing a knee injury that will keep him out of the start of the season, Mitrovic will be leading the Newcastle line when they kick off the new campaign against Southampton on August 9.

With McClaren set to play a variation of a 4-2-3-1 system this season, the Serb will almost certainly find himself as a lone centre-forward, but the pressure of shouldering the majority of Newcastle’s goalscoring responsibilities does not appear to faze him.

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“I know how to play with pressure,” he said. “Anderlecht and Partizan are the biggest clubs in Belgium and Serbia and I know I’m going to have pressure for sure here. But I like to play with pressure, that’s what I can say.”

With Georginio Wijnaldum having arrived earlier in the month, Newcastle have now spent £27m on just two players since the transfer window reopened, and McClaren feels yesterday’s developments provide further proof of the club’s intent.

“I’m delighted,” said the head coach, who led his side into the final game of their US tour against Portland Timbers in the early hours of this morning. “It’s been a long process, a lot of opposition for his signature and we’re delighted he’s made this step to us.

“He’s a tremendous addition and again, a statement of intent that the club want to go forward. I think he’ll fit right in. Players like that tend to. He has to adapt, but he’s adapted everywhere he’s been.

“He’s only very young, but he made his debut in Serbia and moved to Anderlecht, so he’s already made one move and adapted to a different league so he’s got experience of that at a young age. Now, he’s got to do it again, adapt to our training and the Premier League, but he’s a good acquisition for the squad.”

Newcastle continue to talk with Anderlecht officials about a possible £8m move for centre-half Chancel Mbemba, while QPR’s Charlie Austin remains a second attacking option despite strong competing interest from Aston Villa.