By Craig Hope

NEWCASTLE United have completed a season-long loan deal to bring Uruguayan international Ignacio "Nacho" Gonzalez to St.James' Park.

The 26-year-old signed for La Liga outfit Valencia this summer from Montevideo-based club Danubio where he made his professional debut in 2002.

The midfield star won the Uruguayan Premier Division title in 2004 and 2007 before moving to French side AS Monaco on loan last season.

Nacho made his national-team bow in a 2-1 defeat against England at Anfield in 2006 and has gone on to collect 15 caps, scoring one goal, for "La Celeste".

He is expected to feature in Uruguay's World Cup Qualifiers against Colombia and Ecuador next week.