Former Newcastle striker Luuk de Jong has opened up about his short stay with the club, admitting it wasn't the right move for him at the time.
De Jong moved to the Magpies on a loan spell in the second half of the 2013/14 season, but struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, failing to score a single goal for the club in 12 appearances.
In an interview with Voetbal International, quoted by The Shields Gazette, De Jong discussed his time at St James' Park, as well as an equally difficult spell with Borussia Monchengladbach, saying: "I have indeed played in Germany and England, but the clubs were not the right ones for my game."
Despite his failure to make an impact in England and Germany, De Jong made another move abroad and signed a four-year-deal with Sevilla last summer, certain that he would be a success in Spain: "I was never afraid that it would not work abroad a third time. I was very confident that I wanted to do this." He added: "I have shown at PSV [Eindhoven] in the Champions League that I can play well against European top clubs. Then I can also do that in a top league."
The Dutchman, 29, scored 112 goals in 204 appearances in all competitions during his five years with PSV, and has since settled in Seville, enjoying a resurgence in form after disappointing periods in his career.
The forward's affiliation with Newcastle United wouldn't end at the end of his loan spell however. His older brother Siem signed for the club on a six-year-deal in July 2014, two months after Luuk's loan deal was concluded.
Siem de Jong would enjoy a slightly more successful time in the north east, immediately being appointed vice-captain by then-manager Alan Pardew.
Upon their relegation to the Championship in 2016, Siem linked up with his brother on a season-long loan deal at PSV. He would leave the Magpies permanently one year later, returning to Ajax for a second spell.
Source :
90min