Midfielder Admits He Feels "Like A New Signing" At Newcastle

Siem de Jong admits he feels "a bit like a new signing" himself at Newcastle United this season following the "toughest" campaign of his career in 2014-15. The former Ajax attacking-midfielder suffered an injured-plagued debut campaign on Tyneside and made just a handful of appearances last season, but he made a goal-scoring return to the Magpies' starting line-up on Tuesday night. De Jong glanced a Florian Thauvin free-kick into the back of the net in the eighth minute of the game at St James' Park to score Newcastle's second as they coasted to a 4-1 Capital One Cup Second-Round victory over Northampton Town. And the 26-year-old admitted life under Steve McClaren feels like a "new start" at Newcastle. Quoted in the Daily Star, De Jong said:

"I think there is. It is a new start for everybody and all of us are positive. "The Manchester United game was a boost for the team even though we didn't win and we're happy to have beaten Northampton quite easily. "There is a good feeling around the place ahead of Arsenal. "I feel a bit like a new signing myself - not so much with the group but because I have played so few games. "Last season was the toughest of my career so the other night was only my second 90 minutes for Newcastle. "That was good but I need games and want to play in as many as I can to get my rhythm back again and Northampton was a good start."

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