Valentino Lazaro has sung the praises of everything and everyone at NUFC following his move from Inter Milan – but admits he’s still struggling to get used to the cold!
The 23-year-old also reveals that he RB Leipzig showed serious interest in signing him last month, but says it was Steve Bruce who ‘really convinced’ him to sign at St James’ Park instead of the Bundesliga leaders.
Speaking to Sky Sports, here’s what the Austrian international has had to say a few weeks on from his move on Tyneside:
“Apart from that [it being freezing cold] it has been really great so far!
“It was close [on joining RB Leipzig]. But, in the end, I just felt more welcomed here and Steve Bruce he really convinced me that I could have a really good time here in Newcastle.
“I don’t regret my decision and I am very happy to be here. The team is great. The training is great. The atmosphere in the stadium is great, so everything has been really good so far.
“Like I said, apart from the weather!”
Positive words from the wing-back, who’s clearly loving life on Tyneside so far, and credit to Steve Bruce too – with his man management skills clearly playing a big part in his arrival from Italy.
He then responded to comparisons to Chelsea star Willian – and vowed to give ‘110%’ between now and the end of the season:
“I don’t like comparisons too much.
“Probably someone from the outside, they love to compare but I just want to play my game and I can promise all the Newcastle fans that I will give my best.
“In good and in bad games, you can always expect that I am giving 110%. Like, I said I am looking forward to playing.”
With him getting a good week of training under his belt, he’s been tipped to start at Arsenal on Sunday.
Hopefully he can hit the ground running and earn a permanent move to St James’ Park over the coming months!
