20 hours ago
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Malick Thiaw has given his first interview since joining Newcastle United, revealing why he was so keen to make the switch.
Over the weekend, reports from reliable sources emerged stating that Milan and Newcastle had shaken hands over a €40m deal for Thiaw. The defender left the preseason camp to return to Italy, then headed back to England to undergo a medical.
The deal was made official late last night, and the German leaves having made 85 appearances in all competitions in his three years with the Rossoneri. His only goal was the opener in a 3-1 victory away against Real Madrid in the Champions League, a competition he has faced the Geordies in.
Leaving as a ‘man’
Speaking to the official channel, Thiaw shed a bit of light on why he was keen to grab the chance to move to St. James’ Park, after previous links.
“I’m really excited to join this massive club. I can’t wait to start training and to get to know my new teammates and all the staff,” he said.
“The gaffer showed me his vision and what he wants to do with me as a player and the club itself, which is really exciting. I think Newcastle speaks for itself. It’s a great club, a big club with passionate fans who I can’t wait to see at St. James’ Park.
“I came to Milan as a boy, I’m leaving as a man. I can’t wait to take to the field in my new colours, play in my new stadium with my new fans, I can’t wait any longer.
“Newcastle is the right club for me because they have great ambition, when they offered me this option I immediately said, ‘Of course, I want to do it.’
“About the city, I’ve seen clips that I got sent about the city. Everybody knows about Newcastle. Also, the movie Goal! was the first contact I got to Newcastle when I was really small.
“I always follow the Premier League, I always like the Premier League, so Newcastle was on my watch. I was maybe eight, nine (when he first watched Goal!) I’ve watched it a lot of times, not even once. I think I still watched it when I was 15, 16.”
English (US) ·