Haidara savours Magpies stint as he nears exit
MASSADIO Haidara will take his time before deciding on his next career move after ending an injury-ravaged five-and-a-halfyear spell with Newcastle United.
The 25-year-old will be released once his contract comes to an end at the end of the month.
It is understood the left-back is in talks to sign for Ligue 2 outfit Lens, while at least three other French second-tier clubs are believed to be interested.
“I don’t want to rush – I want to see what is best for me, and try to make a good choice for me and for the sake of my career,” he told the club’s website after the 3-0 victory over Chelsea, during which the Frenchman was afforded a farewell appearance by Rafa Benitez.
“I am really, really happy to finish my time by having some minutes at St James’ Park. It was really good for me, and for the people around me to see me on the pitch again.
“I hope everything will go better and better at Newcastle every year, and whatever people are here I’m sure will give 100%.
“[Last season] was strange. You train every week and you don’t have a game at a weekend. “I just try to be professional, try to train properly, try to be involved and give everything I have to the manager to see if I can get some minutes, or if I can be on the bench. I never give up. “I was waiting, patient for my time. That is the way you have to be and that is what I did.” Haidara joined from Nancy for £2 million during the 2013 January transfer window, at the height of United’s “French revolution”. But after suffering a serious knee injury against Wigan Athletic weeks later, Haidara was beset by problems. The full-back managed just 53 appearances across five-and-ahalf seasons. Last term Haidara played just once in the league, with his only other appearance in January’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Luton. But despite admitting he has not achieved what he had hoped to, he reflected on the positives. “I want to thank the fans, they have always been amazing,” he added. “Since the first day I came here, and when I’ve had the ups and downs, they were the first to send me messages to try to make me happy, and for that I am very, very pleased. “Because I had some injuries, I couldn’t do what I wanted. That is a little disappointment from my time here. “But I’ve had some good times as well. I remember my first year, playing in the Europa League, and winning the Championship last season. “I’ve had a good time, it’s just I’ve had some difficult times as well. “That’s part of football – sometimes it doesn’t go the way you want, but sometimes it is perfect.” Massadio Haidara