Mendieta has lost his Spanish international place

Mendieta has moved to the Riverside on a one-year loan deal from Lazio but both clubs have agreed a four-year contract should this season pay off for all concerned.

"I think this is massive," said McClaren."Two years ago he want for nearly �30m to Lazio, he has played with all the top clubs and all the top players. This signing is on a parallel with Juninho."

"He has great creativity, fantastic attitude but his ambition to take on this challenge impressed me - he could have played it safe and gone back to Spain.

McClaren hopes Mendieta will be ready to make his debut at home against Arsenal on Sunday - and he did not rule out more signings before the end of the transfer deadline.

"A player of his quality relishes playing in top games," McClaren added.

"We need experience and there is no better experience than what Gaizka brings us.

"But I still feel we are light squad wise, I still want a few other signings and I hope they will come to light over the next few days.

"Other players have slipped through the net for various reasons. This club has never lost the ambition. Players have not come for various reasons - ours, theirs, other clubs or financial."

Mendieta added: "This is one of the most important things for me to come here because I want to play in the Premier League.

"This is an ambitious club. I hope we can play in Europe next season."