Buzzing’ Joe Willock explains decision to join Newcastle United from Arsenal

Joe Willock is ‘buzzing’ to join Newcastle United and insists it was the ‘right time’ to leave boyhood club Arsenal. Willock spent well over a decade at the Emirates, first as an academy star and more recently as a first-team player.

The 21-year-old impressed while on loan at St James’ Park last season, scoring seven goals in seven matches to help Steve Bruce’s side climb away from the relegation zone and eventually finish 12th. ‘I’m buzzing to be here,’ Willock told Newcastle’s official website. ‘I loved my time here last season and I’m really happy to be back and to be a Newcastle United player.

‘Leaving Arsenal is obviously a big step, and I’d like to thank everyone involved with the club for all their support over the years, but this is the right move to the right club at the right time for me. ‘I only got one chance to play in front of a smaller number of Newcastle fans as a home player last season, so I can’t wait to step out in front of a packed St. James’ Park and experience that atmosphere.’ Willock will wear the number 28 shirt for Newcastle United and will likely make his debut in next weekend’s clash against Aston Villa.

On Willock’s move to St James’ Park, Newcastle boss Bruce, said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to secure our number one target. We have had to be patient and persistent, but it has been worth the wait to bring Joe back. ‘I want to thank Lee Charnley in particular for the work he has put in to make the deal happen. The club have gone above and beyond to make it possible. ‘Joe is a wonderful young player with all the attributes you want in a midfielder, and he certainly proved that during his time with us last season. ‘This is a move I know our supporters really wanted us to make, and I know they will join me in giving Joe a very warm welcome back to St. James’ Park.’

Arsenal, meanwhile, have wished Willock ‘all the best in the next chapter of his career’ and insist the academy graduate will ‘always be part of the Arsenal family’. ‘Everyone at Arsenal is extremely proud of Joe’s progress from our academy through to the first team,’ a statement from the Gunners read. ‘We wish you all the best in the next chapter of your career with Newcastle United. Joe, you will always be part of the Arsenal family.’

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Matteo Guendouzi has made a switch to Hertha Berlin.

Image
Arsenal anchorman Matteo Guendouzi has made a switch to Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin on season-long loan deal. The 21-year-old Frenchman hasn’t played for Mikel Arteta’s side since a 2-1 loss to Brighton in June, during which he was involved in a fracas with Neal Maupay. The Frenchman has joined the Gunners from Ligue 1 outfits Lorient back in 2018, having started his career in the academy of PSG. He has played 82 games for the North London club, however, has not been in the matchday squad this campaign. He featured regularly under head-coach Unai Emery in his debut campaign back in 2018-19, playing in 33 of the Gunners 38 Premier League games. He was also a regular fixture in the side for the first half of last campaign, however, featured far less following the appointment of Mikel Arteta back in December 2019. In the game at Brighton – the Gunners second following the post-lockdown restart – he had to be pulled away from Maupay during a confrontation between both sets of play
Read more

Officially confirmed: Thomas Partey is a Gunner.

Image
Arsenal have been strongly linked with the signing of Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey throughout 2020, and finally landed their man on Deadline Day. The transfer will not have gone down peacefully in the Spanish capital, with reports claiming that we went beyond the Spanish giants to lodge our bid with the Spanish FA, before rejecting the club’s offer to take Lucas Torreira on loan, as stated on Sky Sports News Transfer Deadline Day show at 11PM citing the official tweet of Atletico. El @Arsenal deposita en LaLiga el importe de la cláusula de rescisión de Thomas Partey, que extingue de forma unilateral su contrato con nuestro club. ℹ https://t.co/WhTQbb1rhm — Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) October 5, 2020 The Uruguayan midfielder had participated in a medical over the weekend, expected to complete his move before the window closed, while Atleti were said to be in need of moving a member of their squad on before completing the move. We were then said to have triggered Partey’s releas
Read more

Why Debuchy is perfect replacement for Sagna at Arsenal

Image
Full-back's departure was a blow but the Newcastle star's experience, defensive qualities, aerial ability and winning mentality mark him out as a worthy successor ANALYSIS By Liam Twomey In previous years, the departure of a club stalwart might have sparked talk of crisis at Arsenal . But Arsene Wenger has acted quickly in the wake of Bacary Sagna 's defection to Manchester City , with Newcastle right-back Mathieu Debuchy set to be unveiled as a Gunner before the end of the week in a deal worth an initial £8 million . Setback though it was, the protracted nature of Sagna's departure from the Emirates Stadium afforded Wenger ample time to plan for a future without him. Sebastian Jung of Eintracht Frankfurt became a target as far back as January , while talks with Toulouse over Serge Aurier reached a very advanced stage . But as Debuchy makes his final preparations for life in north London, Wenger can be confident that he has secured a very profic
Read more