Newcastle United have released a statement in the last few moments, confirming that promising defender Kevin Mbabu has left the club, joining Swiss side BSC Young Boys for an undisclosed fee on a three-year-deal.
Mbabu enjoyed a successful loan spell with Young Boys last season, helping his new side to a 2nd place finish, qualifying them for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
From what I saw of him in his Premier League debut against Chelsea in 2015 and in highlights of his time at Young Boys last season, the 22-year-old looked a player of real promise, and I for one am disappointed to see him leave.
Defender @Kevin_Baboo has joined Swiss side @BSC_YB for an undisclosed fee
?? https://t.co/s2Ix0JLELm #NUFC pic.twitter.com/JH4fZtVmxZ
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 15, 2017
Injuries halted his progress following his arrival from Servette in January 2013, but the Swiss full-back was handed his debut by Steve McClaren in a Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in September 2015, followed by a memorable Premier League debut against Chelsea in the following week – remembered by him doing a convincing job on Chelsea winger Pedro that day.
To me who looked to have the power and drive to succeed in the Premier League – I hope we don’t live to regret this one.
Good luck to Mbabu, a promising player who I believed should have had a future on Tyneside.
