Not one signing by Newcastle United on transfer deadline day. But plenty leave

The Magpies did not make a signing in the January transfer window.

But defender Davide Santon yesterday re-signed for Inter Milan on loan with a view to a £3million permanent deal.

And FIVE fringe players joined Rangers, part-owned by Mike Ashley, before last night’s transfer deadline.

Remie Streete, Haris Vuckic, Gael Bigirimana, Shane Ferguson and Kevin Mbabu headed north of the border to the Scottish Championship club.

But it was the departure of Santon which was the most controversial move of the day.

Many supporters feel his exit have weakens an already-frail squad.

And Santon’s fiancee, Chloe Sanderson, claimed Santon had been “pushed out” of United on Twitter.

Miss Sanderson later deleted a series of tweets, and 24-year-old Santon – who started his career at Inter – later insisted on Facebook that he had not been forced out of Newcastle.

“I wanted to be clear and honest, as I always have done,” said Santon.

“There has been a bit of confusion with people saying I first rejected Inter’s offer, then was forced to come here by Newcastle.

“None of that is true – I never turned down Inter.

“As the negotiations all happened on deadline day, I just asked for a couple of hours to talk about it with my family and see what they thought.

“After talking to my girlfriend and my parents, all together we decided it would be a fantastic choice, and therefore here I am ready to begin with my new No21 jersey.”

The club’s decision to loan out Santon was questioned on Tyneside given a lack of defensive numbers.

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa’s loan to AS Roma was made permanent earlier in the transfer window, with the deal netting the club around £5million.

United also banked more than £3million from Crystal Palace for departed manager Alan Pardew early last month.

Meanwhile, defender Streete, from South Shields, said he was “pleased” to join second-placed Rangers, who are bidding to return to the Scottish Premiership.

The 20-year-old had been wanted back at Port Vale, where he had a brief loan spell earlier this season.

Streete tweeted: “Pleased to have joined @RangersFC on loan until the end of the season. Looking forward to coming to Glasgow.”