The French international defender comes with a reputation as a classy operator who reads the game well at the back. But he is also more than prepared to get physical to help Newcastle climb the table.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa: “The English Premier League is very physical.
“But what we have to do is build a very strong team, and make sure that we have a team that doesn’t give up.
“We need to be warriors on the pitch. We will be looking to win as many of the last 15 games in the league as we can.
“If I had to describe my style I would class myself as a typical defender.
“My defensive role is to win as many challenges and defensive battles as possible, and to win every possible ball.
“As a defender, I am the first one to collect the ball and distribute it to other members of the team, which is what I will be working hard to do.
“I will do what I do best, which is to defend, and to defend well.
“I will be trying to win as many challenges as I can in defence.
“I’ll be trying to get some goals as well.
“I will be looking to give opposition forwards the most difficult time they can possibly imagine.
“I have spoken with Marveaux and Cabaye about coming here.
“The club has been very welcoming to me – not just the club, but the players themselves. They have made everything available to help me settle in the best as possible.
“The French players that have arrived before were made to feel very comfortable. They transmitted that to me, and it made me feel very comfortable about it all as soon as I started here.”