By Gary Oliver

GOALKEEPER Tim Krul took a giant step towards realising a boyhood dream when he became Newcastle United's thrid signing of the summer.

For the 17-year-old has always longed to play in the English Premiership - and he's hoping to do so as a Magpie.

Tim, who had been with Dutch outfit Den Haag since the age of nine, has signed a three-year deal at St. James' Park. Our picture shows him completing the paperwork in the St. James' boardroom.

He told nufc.co.uk: "I'm very happy, it's a fantastic move for me to sign for such a big club.

"To come and play in England has always been a dream. When I was a young boy I always used to say to my father that I wanted to come and play in England because the Premiership is very popular in Holland.

"I have been looking around St. James' Park and it is a very beautiful stadium. There are so many great players at Newcastle and I am looking forward to meeting them all and starting training."

Tim was part of a Dutch side that reached the final of the UEFA European U17 Championships staged in Italy back in May. They finished runners-up after losing 2-0 against Turkey in the final, but did enough to qualify for the World Championships, which take place in Peru in September.

The tall shotstopper was accompanied on his trip to St. James' Park by parents Peter and Rieneke, along with agents Harry Lulofs and Soren Lerby, the former Denmark, Ajax and Bayern Munich star.

Tim's goalkeeping hero, perhaps not surprisingly, is fellow Dutchman Edwin Van Der Sar, who moved from Fulham to Manchester United during the summer.

Our SMS subscribers were FIRST to get the news of Tim's official signing. Click here for details.