‘I still love that club’ – Former Newcastle midfielder opens up over potential return to St James’ Park
By Russell Edge
Former Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has spoken out about his fondness for the club and says he does not know what to expect when he returns this season.
The Dutch international spent just a single season at St James’ Park, as he was unable to prevent the Magpies from suffering relegation during the 2015/16 campaign, despite his 11 goals in 38 league appearances.
He had joined from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2015, but left a year later as Premier League giants Liverpool swooped him up from the Championship-bound side.
However, this season will see him have the chance to return to Tyneside, with the Magpies having secured promotion at the first time of asking under Liverpool icon Rafael Benitez.
He says that while he still holds Newcastle as a club in the highest regard, he does not know what sort of reception he will get from the fans, despite them having offered him the support he needed when arriving in England.
He told ESPN: “I don’t have a bad word to say about Newcastle. I am happy that they are back in the Premier League where they belong. I still love that club.
“They gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League. When I needed them, when I went there as a new signing, they supported me.
“Will I get a good reception there? I don’t know. I heard it won’t be great for me.”
Wijnaldum made 42 appearances across all competitions for the Reds in his debut season, managing to grab six goals and a further 11 assists, and is contracted at the club until 2021.
He has also earned 40 caps for the Dutch national side since his debut back in 2011, going on to score eight goals for his country.
In other Newcastle news, the Magpies are looking to tie up a £16m deal for an international striker.
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