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.
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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.”
lol… after Isak and Tonali will leave, they will turn back into the small club that they really are… congrats on playing your final UCL season!
Liverpool, Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Untd and Tottenham will be taking the top 6 spots again for the next couple of years!
Lol why u sound so bitter?!? Worry about your own club that’s not even in the UCL to begin with and we don’t even know if we’ll qualify next year either. The prem top 7-8 teams all have a realistic shot at UCL spots.
Newcastle utd. a massive club ? 😀 seriously they haven’t won an English championship since 1926/27 season. Sure they just won the Liga Cup but besides of that they haven’t really won anything of worth since the 1950ies.
All players say a version of the same sh!t when they join a new club. “It’s my dream move”. Whatever. What really got me was him talking about how everyone knows about the city of Newcastle. LOL.
Yeah I get that but I suspect even Newcastle fans knows it really isn’t the case at least trophy wise. I liked their team with Ginola, Beardsley and Shearer though but they didn’t win anything but did end up at an epl 2nd place. Well personally If we forget about football then I look at Newcastle as a proud working class town and the miners strikes against Thatcher in the early 80ies but besides of that my knowledge of city is also pretty slim.
Don’t forget Asprilla! That was a fun team to watch
Yeah you are right as I also quite enjoyed watching him but also already liked him pairing with Brolin in Parma.
I liked Shearer who was a goal scoring machine and there was this guy Nolberto Solano who I like alot for his fighting spirit (I know it’s an odd pick but the way he fought on the pitch I just loved it)
I would have loved to see Shearer in AC Milan. I do recall that player when you mentions him, well I generally like fighters so fully understand you.
I think the key word here is ambition!
That would sound more correct then.
He is not expected to say anything less. Its all for the press..he earns his wages, takes care of his family and leaves behind a club that sees him as a mere statistic. Goes to another club that still sees him as a statistic but with higher wages. It’s a no brainer.
Loyalty is non existent. Everybody will do what’s best for them. Milan wanted to sell him to como for just 25m and they are getting close to 40m. Furlani will be rubbing his hands with glee. Tare now has to make a lemonade out of these lemons. I hope he gets it right.
Cardinale gjorde oss till liten klubb igen