He signed for Newcastle in June 2011 from West Ham United on a free transfer, and three months into his contract he told the Chronicle: "These fans are the best in the world!"
He later said the same about the Chelsea supporters when he moved to stamford Bridge.
Now he is at Beşiktaş in Turkey ... and guess what?
He doesn't know what they sing, but he likes their tunes, which is something I've never heard from a player ever before.
In an interview with TRT he seems to have forgotten all about the mighty Leazes End: “Before I joined I asked my good friends Moussa Sow, former Fenerbahçe player Dia and ex-Sivasspor player Faty about Turkey.
“They all advised me to join and told me about the passion and how great Turkish fans were.
“After experiencing it first hand I can say that Beşiktaş probably have the best fans you will find anywhere in the world.
“I have played in front of clubs with great fans such as Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham but honestly nothing compares to Beşiktaş.
“I don’t understand what they are saying and chanting but it sounds fantastic and the melodies are very nice.”