Bigirimana has made just 28 senior appearances for Coventry City, but he could be introduced to Premiership action this coming season.
Alan Pardew: “He’s a young player but he has already had experience in the Coventry first team.
“Gael coming to us is a big step up in class – but he has got that potential. He’s got great energy and great technical ability.
“And sometimes I’d rather take a player who has the potential and the experience than somebody who has no experience at all.
“This is a guy who is armed to threaten the players we have in our first team at the moment.
“As we have shown before it doesn’t affect us where players come from.
“We might sign a player from Barnet or Manchester United – as long as they are the right type of player.”