I didn’t want to walk away from amazing United fans – Dubravka
MAGPIES FOCUS
Martin Dubravka has lifted the lid on the reasoning behind his stay at St James’s Park.
The Slovakian stopper signed a permanent deal on Tyneside for a bargain £4million after impressing on loan – making him Rafa Benitez’s first summer signing.
And Dubravka has revealed that the special relationship he shares with the fans meant he was never going to leave Newcastle.
It’s a bond that the keeper has never felt before, and he’s delighted to see it continue after he penned a four-year deal at a club he is ‘proud’ to represent.
That relationship was emphasised in the win over Chelsea, and Dubravka knew then that he couldn’t turn his back on the club.
Speaking to nufc.co.uk, he said: “The last game against Chelsea, I’ve never had that feeling.
“It was something special. I didn’t want to walk away, I wanted to stay and enjoy it.
“I’m looking forward to the new season, to sticking together and having the fans with us.
“When I arrived on loan in January, I already knew Newcastle United was a great club with amazing fans. that helps us to play well and give 100 per cent. I’m happy that I can be part of that relationship.”
The stopper – who is currently away on international duty – was keen to pledge his long-term future to the club and is delighted to be staying on Tyneside.
But now, he is keen to keen to push on into the new campaign.
“I’m very proud and very pleased to be a part of the club and I’m very happy that I have my future here,” he added.
“It’s hard to put it into words because it’s something special. It means a lot. “I’m very excited for next season. “It is a great dressing room with great players who helped me a lot.”
Dubravka putting pen to paper on a fouryear deal to June 2022 is what many will hope is the start of a busy summer at St James’s Park, with Benitez keen for the club to match his ambitions of pushing Newcastle towards the Premier League’s top six, as well as competing in the cup competitions.
Benitez added: “It has been very good business for the club and we now say congratulations to Martin and look forward to having him with us for the long term at Newcastle United.”