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English Premier League club Newcastle has agreed a deal with Belgian club Anderlecht to buy Democratic Republic of Congo international Chancel Mbemba. Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images/file
But just how old is Mbemba? Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images/file
The defender's birth date recorded by Anderlecht is August 8, 1994. Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images/file
However, according to documents obtained by CNN in 2013, Mbemba was registered by his two first Congolese clubs -- E.S. La Grace and Mputu -- as being born in 1988.
Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images/file
Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images/file
Yet for a Cup of Nations qualifier in June 2011, Mbemba's year of birth was listed as November 30, 1991. Here Mbemba is pictured in action against Ivory Coast's Yaya Toure. Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images/file
Mbemba himself, thinks he was born in 1990.
Mbemba made 28 appearances for Anderlecht last season, who finished third in the league. Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images/file
Newcastle has also signed striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (left) from Anderlecht. Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images/file
For Newcastle fans last season proved a bruising experience, with the club narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League. Chris Brunskill/Getty Images
Newcastle started the 2014/20215 with Alan Pardew in charge of the first team, but midway through the season he decamped to Crystal Palace. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images/file
John Carver, 50, took over but he won just three of his 20 games in charge. Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Much of the ire of Newcastle fans has been directed at owner Mike Ashley, who they accuse of treating the club as an extension of his business empire. The retail tycoon has turned Newcastle into a profitable club, but supporters say there is a poverty of ambition under his regime.
Former England manager Steve McClaren has been brought in as the club's head coach to try and revive the club. Clive Mason/Getty Images
Newcastle play Southampton in their opening Premier League game of the season on Sunday August 9 at their St James Park stadium. Dave Thompson/Getty Images/file
