THE Newcastle Jets are banking on some South American magic to spark their attack next season after signing Brazilian midfielder Daniel Penha on a loan deal.
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The Penha coup was completed just days after Jets officials announced the recruitment of Cameroon international Olivier Boumal, who is expected to lead Newcastle's attack in 2021-22 alongside another foreign import, Georgian striker Beka Mikeltadze.
Penha has been contracted to Brazilian Serie A club Atlético Mineiro since 2017 but the 22-year-old has been loaned out to various clubs in his homeland.
The former Brazil under-20s representative is regarded as a set-piece specialist who is capable of making an impact in the A-League.
The Jets are desperate to add some creativity to their attack under new coach Arthur Papas, having scored only 24 goals in 26 games last season - the fewest by any A-League team.
Papas said he was "delighted" to have secured Penha's signature and was eagerly awaiting his arrival, once he has secured a visa and completed his mandatory quarantine stint.
"Having known about Daniel for some time and seen his growth over the course of 2021, his style and our style are very aligned," Papas said. "I am confident our supporters will appreciate his qualities."
Penha was excited about the opportunity to ply his trade abroad.
"I'm looking forward to bringing my offensive qualities to the Newcastle Jets," he said.
"I'm a very hard-working player who enjoys taking the responsibility with the ball, being aggressive to create goals, as well running hard for the team to press the opponent.
"To the Newcastle Jets' fans, I'm coming from Brazil with big dreams, a strong desire to make you all happy and share many goals and victories."
Penha's signing continues Newcastle's wholesale roster makeover under Papas.
The Brazilian shapes as a direct replacement for another Newcastle recruit, Cameron Devlin, who appears unlikely to kick a ball in Jets colours.
Newcastle signed the former Wellington Phoenix playmaker for two seasons, but after representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics, he is poised to activate a buyout clause and join Scottish Premier League outfit Hearts.
Newcastle's spending spree continued on Thursday when they announced signing former Melbourne Victory defender Dylan Murnane to a one-year deal.
The 26-year-old has spent the past five years playing in Scandinavia, most recently for Finnish league champions HJK Helsinki. He shapes as a contender to replace long-serving Johnny Koutroumbis, who has joined Western Sydney.
Having debuted for Victory as an 18-year-old, Murnane played 24 A-League games over the next four seasons before heading abroad.
The left-sided defender initially played for Norwegian clubs Kongsvinger and IFK Mariehamn before joining Helsinki earlier this year.
Papas said Murnane had gained "considerable experience" during his time abroad.
"He is a very attacking-minded fullback who will provide a real threat down the left, as well as being equally as comfortable playing inside," Papas said.
Murnane, who was on the fringe of Young Socceroos selection as a teenager, said he believes the Jets were "building something special" under Papas.
"After speaking with Arthur about the football he wants to implement and the culture he wants to create, it was an easy decision," he said.
"Moving to Newcastle is a great opportunity for myself after being abroad for many years.
"I've heard many great things about the club and the city, so I'm looking forward to settling in and meeting the boys.
"I hope we can create a special atmosphere in Newcastle this season, and I look forward to playing a high-tempo attacking brand of football that all the fans will enjoy."
Murnane's signing continues a wholesale turnover of players at the Jets, who finished second-last last season.
Nigel Boogaard, Roy O'Donovan, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Matt Millar, Lachlan Jackson, Luke Prso, Connor O'Toole, Ali Abbas, Lewis Italiano, Liridon Krasniqi and Koutrombis have all moved on.
Proven A-League performers Matthew Jurman, Dane Ingham, Riley Warland and Jordan Elsey are among the incoming personnel.