Newcastle have today confirmed the signing of Javier Manquillo, and in his first interview for the club, the £4.5m signing has fired an amusing dig at former employers Sunderland, stating he is now at ‘the biggest club in the North-East’.
Manquillo signs with a lot to prove, having disappointing loan spells at Liverpool and Sunderland in recent years, however the 23-year old spoke well in his first interview and his comments about Sunderland will have done no harm in winning over the Geordie faithful:
“More recently I played for Sunderland, but now I’ve got the opportunity to join this club, the biggest club in the North-East!”
“I already know the city – I was even living near the city centre.”
Whilst he may have struggled on Wearside last season (who wouldn’t aboard that sinking ship?), it is helpful that he not only has experience of the Premier League, but has lived in the North-East.
Given he will be starting his pre-season training late this summer, these two factors can only help his settling in period on Tyneside.
Newcastle United’s official Twitter page got in on the action when unveiling Manquillo today, sending a sly dig to the Mackems with the line ‘Some things are just better in black and white’.
Some things are just better in black and white. ⚫️⚪️#WelcomeJavier #NUFC pic.twitter.com/uG3GBAkuCl
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) July 21, 2017
CLICK HERE to watch Manquillo’s first full interview on NUFC TV.