Florian Thauvin - Newcastle Is An "Emblematic Club" But I Will Always Miss Marseille

Newcastle United's latest £14 million signing Florian Thauvin penned an open letter to Marseille fans after leaving the club - in which he described the Magpies as an "emblematic club". The winger also revealed he is "proud" to wear the Newcastle No 20 shirt vacated by Remy Cabella, who has headed the other way on loan, as he starts his "new adventure" in front of the "exceptional atmosphere at St James' Park" after agreeing a five-year contract. In his post on his Facebook page, Thauvin admitted there was a serious amount of "emotion" in penning the letter and that his time at Marseille did "not finish the way" he had hoped it would.

The 22-year-old also stated that he will "miss the (Stade) Velodrome" for the rest of his life and that he "never cheated". Newcastle completed the signing of Thauvin in time to make his debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, should he be selected. Read Thauvin's open letter in full below.Florian Thauvin's Open Letter To Marseille Fans In Full (Facebook):

"To all Marseille fans, "I am writing these few words with considerable emotion. My adventure with OM finished today. It did not finish the way that I had hoped it would and I cannot leave in any case without saying goodbye. My football experience at OM was not as wonderful as it was in my dreams or in our shared hopes. "I do not regret the efforts that I had to make to join this great club that is Olympique de Marseille. I met some fantastic fans who always supported me. I will keep in my head the memories of meetings with you after the wonderful victories of last year, a season that deserved a better ending.

"I will miss the Velodrome for the rest of my life. The atmosphere and your support will be forever engraved in my heart.

"I discovered the passion that reigns true over this club, this fervour which brings you together each weekend at the Velodrome and I shared the love that this town has for the Marseille colours.

"I have always given. I have never cheated and every day I was proud to wear your colours.

"Today, I keep in my heart the marvellous moments that I shared with you, the Marseillais, fans of OM and I think of your many displays of support.

"I warmly thank all of those who have always believed in me, those who have always been behind me and have supported me throughout my seasons with OM.

"I want to thank all of my teammates, the medical staff, the technical staff and notably the club stewards, the President, Jose Anigo, Elie Baup and Marcelo Bielsa.

"I wish that the club quickly picks itself back up, that it has a great season because the town and you, the fans, deserve to have a great team.

"I will never forget the Velodrome, I will never forget Marseille, I will never forget you.

"With all my heart, once again, thank you to you, the Marseille fans.

"Today, I begin a new adventure with Newcastle, an emblematic Premier League club that already has a great history.

"I am anxious to discover the passion of the English fans and the exceptional atmosphere at St James€™ Park.

"I hope that together we will have wonderful seasons and experience many victories.

"I am proud to wear the number 20 shirt for Newcastle, I am anxious to experience English football.

"Florian Thauvin."

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