‘Outstanding’ player Newcastle sold in January says he enjoys watching ‘as a fan of the club’

Jonjo Shelvey left Newcastle United in the January transfer window to go to Nottingham Forest but it was a move that didn't go according to plan.

It was a move that happened pretty quickly and Jonjo Shelvey jumped at the chance to move to Nottingham Forest with the promise of regular first-team football.

After seven years at Newcastle, Shelvey had fallen down the pecking order under Eddie Howe as the transformed Magpies pushed for a top-four Premier League spot. It was therefore no real surprise that he would move on when offered the chance to play regularly.

Unfortunately for the 'outstanding' 31-year-old, things soon took a turn for the worst when Forest boss Steve Cooper told Shelvey he wouldn't be playing against his former club, Liverpool. Shelvey didn't take the news well and fell out with Cooper who sent Shelvey home from training and he never played for Forest again.

Shelvey is still on the books at Forest but is on loan at Turkish side Caykur Rizespor where The Chronicle reports he has 'fallen in love' with playing again after the heartbreak of being dropped by Steve Cooper.

The Chronicle caught up with Shelvey out in Turkey as Newcastle took on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The midfielder noted "What I'd do to be in that stadium right now." before going on to say how he loves watching Newcastle as a fan and stating that he expects he and his family will remain on Tyneside after his playing career comes to an end.

"I just enjoy being a fan now and watching the games and knowing they are my mates and they are out there doing it for the city that my family lives in and the club that I support.

"We will probably end up staying there for the rest of our lives. That's what it does to you."

Nottinghamshire Live

Shelvey recalled how he left St James' Park, with Eddie Howe originally turning down his request to leave but then changing his mind the following day.

"He came in the next day and said because of the way I spoke to him and approached him and because of our relationship, he was going to let me go.

"He also said that I had killed him by leaving it too late for the club to bring in another midfield player. I was putting him in the s---, basically. I said, 'Sorry!' but I was thankful for the way he let me go. It was an amazing send-off as well."

The send-off of course came in the Carabao Cup semi-final when Shelvey returned to the North East after signing for Forest to be there to watch his old side progress into the final by defeating Southampton. Shelvey would take to the pitch to receive an ovation from the fans worthy of a player who'd given seven years of his career to the club.

Newcastle has clearly got under Shelvey's skin during his seven years at the club, it's such a shame to see his career-rescuing move turn sour, but it sounds like he's putting all that behind him now and is enjoying his Turkish adventure.