Former Newcastle United star makes heartfelt revelation about St James' Park

Former Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino's time may have been short, but fans still look on his stint as a positive one and have been lobbying for his return for years.

A midfielder who has grown into one of the best in Europe, he spent just one season at the Magpies before leaving for Spain to link up with Real Sociedad where he has remained since.

He made 17 appearances for Newcastle in the 2017/18 season after joining from Borussia Dortmund, the first back in the Premier League managed by fellow Spaniard Rafael Benitez.

Since leaving, he has won the Copa Del Rey, an Olympic medal, the UEFA Nations League and was named in the La Liga team of the season in 2022/23.

Now in the Spanish squad for Euro 2024, he has come a long way since his time on Tyneside.

Merino: "I will always have Newcastle in my heart"

Speaking to Faro de Vigo on the relationship with Newcastle fans, Merino said:

“Very good. What marked me the most in Newcastle was the stadium, the fans.

"I think it was a unique life, feeling what St James’ Park is, I will always have it in my heart and mind because it is something unique.

"Get a ball in your area and people go crazy shouting as if you were about to score a goal, and I said ‘let’s see, there are 80 metres to there and they are 11 ahead. It is impossible for us to score a goal.

"But people believed it and encouraged you to move forward.”

Merino on the move?

The 28-year-old has been linked with a return to the Premier League but sadly for Newcastle fans, it's Arsenal who are looking to sign the midfielder this summer.

Merino ranked the highest for duels won in La Liga last season with 326.

On his future, Merino said: “If there is one thing I am happy about throughout this journey, it is that the steps I have taken in my career have been perfect and at the right time to continue growing as a footballer who has undergone a growth process.

And I don’t want it to end.”