Newcastle United have appointed Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach.

Jaissle has signed a four-year deal at St. James' Park following Eddie Howe's surprise departure last week.

The Magpies have also reportedly paid £9.5m in compensation to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in order to hire Jaissle.

The German enjoyed a brilliant tenure with the Saudi Arabian club, leading them to back-to-back Asian Champions League titles and becoming the first coach to achieve the feat.

Jaissle also won two Austrian Bundesliga titles with Salzburg before joining Al-Ahli, and he was also the first coach to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League with the Austrian side.

"It is an incredible honour to become head coach of Newcastle United," Jaissle told the club website.

"This is one of the biggest clubs in European football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand.

"When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice. The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be.

"I am incredibly excited about the future. I fully and unreservedly believe in this project, the ambition and the direction the club is taking. There is a clear vision, strong leadership and an exceptional platform to build on.

"I cannot wait to get started and will attack this opportunity. I give my complete commitment and total energy to bringing further success to Newcastle United."

Jaissle won 90 of his 138 games in charge of Al-Ahli (D25 L23), though his side finished third in the league last season, five points behind champions Al-Nassr.

He also won 68.5% of his games in charge of Salzburg (P89 W61 D19 L9), where he was appointed head coach at the age of 33.

The 38-year-old will take charge of his first Premier League game on August 23, when Newcastle host Andoni Iraola's Liverpool.