Beye on his Tyneside stay

In a frank interview with the Sunday Sun, deadline day signing Habib Beye has revealed a few interesting facts about why he signed and who else wanted him:

"It was important for me to play in the Premiership - Middlesbrough wanted me a few years ago - and I was even more certain of that after I had spoken to him. I had contact with him early in the summer but I had a contract with Marseilles and it was difficult for me to leave because I was captain and we were in the Champions League. But I spoke to Sam again. He said: 'I want you to come to Newcastle - you can be a very big player for me.'

Then I spoke with the club owner and my manager and I said I wanted to go to Newcastle because I'd played for Marseilles for four years, given my best for the club and, for me, it was better to go and test myself in an English team and in the Premiership. Sam also wanted me when he was at Bolton. It was very important for me that he had confidence in me. I had an offer to go to a big Spanish club, but the football there is too slow for me. After three games here, I'm very pleased with the choice I've made.'

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.

Join the Vital Fantasy Football League - its Free!