Hatem Ben Arfa was desperate to join Newcastle United
Aug 31 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
HATEM Ben Arfa is adamant he would have quit football for a year if he had not been allowed to join Newcastle United as he looks to prove he was worth the wait on Tyneside.
United have spent months trying to thrash out a deal with Marseille to bring the France international to St James’ Park and finally made a breakthrough last week.
Ben Arfa is thrilled to have finally got the move he has dreamt of all summer and has vowed to show exactly why the Magpies have been so patient in their efforts to sign him.
The 23-year-old (pictured right) may be the last new arrival of this transfer window, although Newcastle are still monitoring Robbie Keane’s situation at Tottenham and could launch another attempt to sign the Republic of Ireland international today.
“Newcastle was always my first choice and everything that has happened over the summer was because I wanted to come here so much,” said Ben Arfa, who has taken the number 37 shirt at United. “I did not care about anything else.
“Newcastle have a history and a strong identity. There are so many positives about coming here. There are a lot of good players and they try to get the ball down and play good football.
“I am pleased to be playing in one of the biggest leagues in Europe, which is lively and has some great teams.
“I have always noticed how much people like football here and you could see that at Wolverhampton at the weekend. In France, there is only one team with a great atmosphere and that is Marseille; in England it’s every game.
