MY HOME TOON
PREMIER LEAGUE Magpie Murphy’s happy to be there
JACOB MURPHY grew up dreaming of wearing a Newcastle shirt – now he’s doing it for real.
Now 22, Newcastle are the eighth club Murphy has played for after going out on loan six times in under two years at Norwich.
But Newcastle’s is the only kit the winger really wanted to wear.
Murphy and twin brother Josh may have been brought up a goal kick away from Wembley Stadium but with a mum from Gateshead and dad from Ashington, there was only one team they were ever going to support.
So when the Canaries accepted a £12m bid from the Magpies for the England Under-21 international, Murphy was in dreamland.
“I’ve been a fan from the beginning,” said Murphy, who is in line to start at Huddersfield tomorrow having been a sub for last weekend’s defeat by Tottenham.
“My first game was a 2-1 UEFA Cup win against PSV Eindhoven ® in 2004. It captured my imagination from that moment. That was a good era for Newcastle, always in Europe. “I used to wear a Newcastle shirt down in Norwich. There are lots of pictures of me growing up in one and now I have a real one. “It’s nice to wear these colours, looking down on your chest and seeing the badge. “And it’s nice for my parents to see me here too. I have loads of relatives and cousins in the area so it’s a fantastic move for me. “There’s a lot of pride for the family and it’s been easy settling in. As a kid, we didn’t come back too often so I have been getting to know the area.”
Another new recruit, striker Joselu (left), is also in the squad following his £5m move from Stoke.
Boss Rafa Benitez is hoping his fellow Spaniard can be more successful in the North East than at his previous club.
“We knew him at the Real Madrid Academy when he was top scorer and doing well,” said Benitez.
“Was he playing at his level at Stoke? Maybe not.
“Can he do it here? Maybe he will have more chances.
“It’s easier for me to talk to him in Spanish than maybe Mark Hughes.
“I can explain things but then it depends on him.”